NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU
John 8:1-11
She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:11
One of the names of the devil in the Bible is the “accuser of the brethren” (Revelations 12:10). In our Scripture Reading, we see a group of accusers bringing a woman caught in adultery to Jesus. This woman was caught in the very act (John 8:4), so was “rightly accused.” It is important to see that Jesus did not join her accusers, for Jesus did not come to accuse or condemn the world, but to save the world from sin. Like Jesus, we should not condemn others but pray and desire that they too through Jesus might be saved. Let us be convicted by our conscience, drop our stone of condemnation, and remember that every believer today is just a sinner who was not condemned but was saved by God’s Grace.
The prodigal son story teaches us that no matter how far you have gone from God, His hands are still wide open to receive and restore you as you return. You may have been totally condemned by others as this woman was. You may have even accepted your fate that you deserve to be stoned for what you have done and how you have lived your life. But the voice of Jesus is calling out to you today saying – “They may have condemned you and written you off but I do not condemn you.” Jesus remains our advocate and He is interceding for us (Heb.7:25, 1 Jn2:1). Run to Jesus today and receive restoration. Are you an accuser of the brethren? Repent today, leave the ministry of the accuser (the devil) and join the ministry of Jesus today – pray for those around you.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for Your grace that brings salvation to deserving sinners. May sinners receive Your forgiveness and empowerment to sin not more. Amen
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
John 8:12-19
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12
The extent to which you know Him is the extent to which you can follow Him. The amount of light, you allow to shine in your life, that is the amount of light you’ll express. Jesus made it clear that He is the light of the world and every follower of God is a light to the world. Light in the Bible signifies God and the good things that come from Him. “God is light,” says John, “and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Every follower of God is meant to represent God and all his marvellous works on earth as we’re told in Matt.5.16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
For many of us, until we begin to consciously follow God in certain areas, we will not have light (direction) in those areas. In His light, we shall see light. We cannot shine when we’re not following God. Following God is a conscious step that leads to us becoming more like Him hence shining our light. It does not happen overnight but with time, you will become a bright light shining that cannot be hidden; “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” Only by knowing the Father do we come into this light.
Prayer: Lord, help me to consciously follow You so my life will reflect Your light. Amen
CONTINUE IN MY WORD
John 8:25-32
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. John 8:31
The word “Continue” as used in John 8:31 means to abide, to dwell, to endure, to remain, to stand, and to tarry. In a time when everyone is in a hurry to get their breakthrough and make it in life. In a time when people are not patient to wait for God’s timing, we are reminded of the need to continue in God’s word. The real proof that you are indeed a disciple (a follower of Christ) is that you will continue in His word. The parable of the sower in Luke 8:15 teaches us that patience is needed for the word to bear fruit. Are you already looking for another alternative to God’s word? You must realize like Peter that Jesus has the words of eternal life (John 6:68). In His Word, you shall find life that will sustain you on earth and in eternity.
So, have you been waiting on God for something and it seems there is no breakthrough yet? Continue in His Word. God’s word will not return unto Him void (Isaiah 55:11), it is forever settled in heaven (Psalms 119:89), so you can stand and depend on it. Beloved, you won’t make much progress if you can’t continue in God’s word. Believe the word and take that next step to continue in it by living by the word of God. We see in Luke 6:47-49 that any house that is built on the foundation of God’s word can withstand the storm and the rain. Believe the word, dwell in it, live by it, and know it.
Prayer: Father, thank you for Your word. Help me to continually abide in Your word. Amen
TRUE FREEDOM
John 8:32-37.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free John 8:32
There was a popular proverb that was used in the land of Israel so many years ago. This proverb says “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge” (Ezekiel 18:2). This proverb implies that the sins of the fathers will affect the children. But God clarifies by saying “Ye shall not use this proverb in Israel…for the soul that sinneth it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:3,4). In our Scripture reading, the Pharisees claimed that since they were Abraham’s seed, they were never in bondage to any man (John 8:33). Jesus emphasized that it is only the Son (Jesus) that can make a man free. Dearly beloved, as much as your Christian roots can influence you positively and help you in many areas, your roots can’t set you free from sin.
Have you been a churchgoer all these years but have never encountered Christ? Perhaps you have just joined the Church family and you are even active in a department. Like the Pharisees, you might be a seed of Abraham and still not have accepted the Son, and have His Word of eternal life inscribed upon your heart (John 1:11. 8:37). Until the Son sets you free indeed, you will remain in bondage. Accept Jesus Christ today and be free indeed. Amen!
Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you for your word. I am no longer in bondage, I receive freedom through your Son Jesus Christ. Amen
IS GOD YOUR FATHER?
John 8:39-47.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” John 10:27
In 2 Corinthians 13:5, we are encouraged to examine ourselves. Anyone who does not live an examined life will live an assumed life. In Matthew 15:8, we see that it is possible to draw close to God with your mouth while your heart is far. It is very possible to claim that God is close to you and He is your Father, and yet you are failing to live like a son. Today’s text mentions three things that will help us examine if God is truly our Father and if we are living like sons and daughters of God. Firstly, you will do the deeds of your father (John 8:41). “Deeds” here point to acts. Every child of God is expected to act/behave like God. By the way to talk and the way you live your life generally. Secondly, you will love Jesus (John 8:42). Loving Jesus entails keeping His commandments (John 15:14).
You are not acknowledging God as your Father when you live in disobedience to His Word. Jesus is The Word (1 John 5:7). And thirdly, You will Hear His Word (John 8:47). How often do you hear God’s Word? How often does He speak to you? As a child of God, there should be a genuine interest in hearing God’s Word so that you might follow. Examine yourself today in these areas and respond accordingly to your Father. If God is not yet your Father, His arms are wide open to receive you today.
Prayer: Lord, help me to draw closer to You with everything that is within me. Amen.
WHILE IT IS DAY
John 9:1-11.
“I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:4.
The Bible says, “There is a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecc.3:1), and that “Time and chance happen to all of us” (Ecc.9:11). We have no control over time but we can choose to use our time well. Benjamin Franklin once said, “You may delay, but time will not.” How you use your time determines the outcome of your life. Jesus warns that a time will come when we can no longer work. It is a call to maximize the time we have in our hands. You don’t have all the time to make an impact on your family, you don’t have all the time to impact the lives around you. As time and chance happen to you, you have to maximize opportunities.
The rod in Moses’ hands was used by God to help bring deliverance to the people of Israel. That responsibility God has put in your hand, that position you are occupying, that unit you are functioning in might be what God wants to use to cause a great change in your family and all around you. Have you been joking with what has been put in your hands? Your attitude should be that of Jesus – “I must work the works of Him that sent me.” Whatsoever your hands find to do, do it with all your might (Ecc.9:10). A time will come when old age will catch up with you. Now that you have time, now that it is still day, do the work of God. If God weighs you on a balance, will you be found faithful in that work He has given you? Do well to maximize your time while it is day.
Prayer: Lord, teach me to number my days and maximize my time here on earth. Amen
BE TRUTHFUL ABOUT YOUR STATE
John 9:35-41
“I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah” Psalms 32:5
Jesus told a story in Luke 18:10-14 of two men who went to pray. One – a Pharisee – saw himself as perfect and boasted about his “self-righteous deeds.” The second man – a publican – having nothing to boast about just asked God for mercy acknowledging that sin dwells in him. The story reveals that the publican went home justified. The Bible says “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). One way to humble yourself under the mighty hand of God is to acknowledge your sin and ask for forgiveness. Many feel it is a sign of weakness to acknowledge their sin but God wants us to always be sincere with Him. He dislikes hypocrisy.
In order for you to make progress in life you must be honest about your state in all areas of your life and genuinely seek God’s help. The man in verse 36 of our text did not claim to know the Lord but asked who he was, while the Pharisees in verses 40 and 41 remained blind because they did not acknowledge their true state. Many are dying inside but are smiling outside just to give a good impression. God desires truth in the inward parts (Psalms 51:6); He wants us to come boldly into His throne of Grace and obtain mercy and receive help (Heb.5:14), He knows our frame that we are dust (Psalms 103:14) so we ought not to pretend before Him.
Prayer: Father, I ask for the grace to always acknowledge my weakness and plead for your strength to be made manifest in my life. Amen.
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