Power of Forgiveness

The religious leaders had caught a woman in the very act of adultery. They brought her to Jesus, reminding Him that the law stated she deserved to die.

Yet Jesus knew they were also sinners and hard-hearted men who lacked compassion and mercy for others. He also recognized that they were trying to trap Him into making a mistake so they could condemn and discredit Him. The woman was merely a tool they were using for this purpose.

Jesus refused to take the bait. He told them that yes, they could stone her to death - and whosoever was innocent among them should throw the first stone. After Jesus said this, they all slunk away, condemned by their own consciences. He then turned His attention to the fearful woman. He asked her if anyone were still accusing her, and she said no. Jesus responded: "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more" (John 8:3-11, emphasis added).


Many who have violated God's laws have come to see the kind of damage such sins have brought on themselves and others. They rightfully wonder what they can do next. Jesus' words provide clear direction.


This event may have been a life-changing experience for the woman. Here was a man who was interested in salvaging her life rather than using and abusing her. Essentially, Jesus told her that if she made a clean break from her past sexual sins she would be completely forgiven.


This is the essence of what the Bible calls repentance - to recognize our sinful ways to determine to leave that sinful life and, with God's help, to change, to replace our greedy, selfish nature with a godly nature focused on obedience to Him.

If you have made past mistakes, rest assured that God will clear your record if you seek Him in heartfelt repentance. He promises that "though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow" (Isaiah 1:18).

People who try to push at the Mercy Seat to uncover the law of God, also bring out the law for God to see, and God doesn't see the Mercy Seat any longer, and the penalty for the broken law is death, so leave the Law under the Mercy Seat where God placed them and let His mercy be seen in your life, that by His mercy your sins are gone, they are UPON Jesus Christ, and if they are UPON Him, that means they aren't UPON You.