Daily Devotion: September 22nd 2021

Wednesday September 22nd

Read: John 8:1-11

Learn: The Mosaic law called for those caught in adultery to be severely punished. In this passage the scribes and pharisees, who were religiously devout (although highly hypocritical) Jewish officials, challenged Jesus by bringing before Him an adulterous woman. Jesus speaks now famous words, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” We get an incredible reminder here that we have all fallen short of the glory of God, that we are sinners. While humanity has a history of ranking sins, placing some in worse categories than others, to God all sin is evil, and all sin prevents us from being in the presence of the Lord. Stealing a wallet, lying to your friend, or even killing someone are all sins that equally prevent us from fellowship with God. Now of course different sins have different consequences, and rightly so. But we must realize that while some sins may be acceptable in the eyes of our human culture, no sin is acceptable in the eyes of God.

This is why we have Jesus, He who came as a servant, healing people and forgiving sins. Only God has the power to forgive sins, and since God is just, He sent His son Jesus to die for our sins, paying the penalty that we should have paid. Therefore, justice is served, we are forgiven, and we receive mercy. No one condemned the adulterous woman because each person there knew that they themselves had many sins to pay for. Jesus, being perfect and without sin, was the only one in the position of condemning this woman, but He chose not to. He let the woman go, telling her to sin no more.

Often, we cling to the sins of our past even after confessing them and receiving forgiveness. Jesus died on a cross so that we would have forgiveness of sins and an opportunity to dwell with God forever in Heaven after this earthly life. When we hang on to our sins, we downplay that forgiveness and the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. It is important to recognize that receiving forgiveness isn’t just about ceasing your sin, it is also about letting go of the shame and guilt associated with past sins. Psalm 103:12 says, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” The east and west never meet, therefore, God has removed your past sins from you an infinite distance. Don’t let the sins of the past prevent you from experiencing all God wills for you in the present and future.

Reflect: What sins are you hanging on to? Do you need to let go of shame and guilt from past sins? How will recognizing that God has removed your past sins help you let them go as well?

Pray: God, I know that I am a sinner and have fallen short of your glory. I ask for forgiveness of my sins. Help me to truly let go of the shame and guilt of my past sins so that these things do not weigh me down in my present and future. Thank you for your mercy and grace. In Jesus name, Amen.