The Year of our Lord Jesus Christ
John 8:11
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
It seems the forgotten commandment of Jesus is go, and sin no more. He gave this command to the woman caught in adultery. Like the commandment to be perfect as the Father in heaven is perfect, this command is impossible to keep. Yet, it is the pursuit of perfection, meaning no sin, that is the key.
Many seem to use the fact of forgiveness as a license to sin with impunity. Meaning that they can continue to live in known sinful activities without facing sin’s consequences. Paul wrote something about this manner of thinking. He wrote in Romans 6:1-2, What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? God’s word forbids that manner of thinking and living.
When one who has been forgiven commits a sin, it should be an aberration. For the striving against sin, the putting away of it, the repentance toward it, is the continual battle for the saved. Forgiven yes, perfected in this world, no. But endeavoring to conquer and put aside personal sin yes. To continue in sin so grace may abound, no.
Praise the Lord that He does not condemn, He forgives. But in the forgiveness there is a command; go, and sin no more.
Until next time,
William T. Howe, Ph.D.
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