Wednesday January 11th, 2023
Memorize: Galatians 6:1 GOD’S WORD® Translation (GW)
« Brothers and sisters, if a person gets trapped by wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should help that person turn away from doing wrong. Do it in a gentle way. At the same time watch yourself so that you also are not tempted. »
Read: John 8:1-11 Good News Translation (GNT)
1 Then everyone went home, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2 Early the next morning he went back to the Temple. All the people gathered around him, and he sat down and began to teach them.
3 The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees brought in a woman who had been caught committing adultery, and they made her stand before them all.
4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.
5 In our Law Moses commanded that such a woman must be stoned to death. Now, what do you say?”
6 They said this to trap Jesus, so that they could accuse him. But he bent over and wrote on the ground with his finger.
7 As they stood there asking him questions, he straightened up and said to them, “Whichever one of you has committed no sin may throw the first stone at her.”
8 Then he bent over again and wrote on the ground.
9 When they heard this, they all left, one by one, the older ones first. Jesus was left alone, with the woman still standing there.
10 He straightened up and said to her, “Where are they? Is there no one left to condemn you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she answered. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, but do not sin again.”
Message:
« Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.» Matthew 7:5 NKJV
Many people condemn those in error so as to feel good- not necessarily because they want to bring them to Christ.
The men who tried to stone the adulterous woman in today’s Bible reading are classic examples. They wanted to show how faithful they were, but did not know Jesus would eventually puncture their self-righteousness.
When you correct others to raise your self-esteem, you lower theirs and break their already bruised reed. This makes it harder for them to submit to the Christ you preach.
If this happens, you can incur God’s wrath, He could turn against you.
Do you want Jesus to turn against you?
When Jesus turns against anyone, it can lead to public disgrace.
In the story above, Jesus turned against the men who were going to stone the adulterous woman and stood on her side, so she could get the chance to begin to live a holy life.
Those who conspired to disgrace her left there in shame.
You will not end up in shame in the mighty name of Jesus.
It is very painful to see some Christians gifting souls to the devil because of their “holier than thou” attitude.
Even in a bar, alcoholics buy drinks for one another and one would hardly be able to tell which one of them cannot afford to buy a drink.
If this happens in such a setting, how much more should we look out for one another in the house of God?
If a pregnant teenage girl is disdained by her church members, the nightclub or brothel would readily accept her. This is why many fallen Christians go deeper into sin.
Rebuke in love.
Let your words to erring brethren lift the hands that are falling, and raise the feeble knees (Job 4:4). We should not be like that proverbial army that specializes in shooting down its already wounded soldiers.
Key point: Check you motive before you correct a sinner. Is it love or just the will to reduce their self-esteem?
Author: Pst E. A. Adeboye.
Edited by Naomie
Freely you received, freely you must give (Math 10:8) , kindly share this devotion, and the Lord will bless you for it ♥
Good post!
God bless you =)