Unlawful Pursuits

John 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

Adultery is the Greek word moicheuó (moy-khyoo’-o), which is to have unlawful intercourse with another’s wife: or with another’s husband.  The believer is married to Jesus and to chase after other gods is the same as committing adultery:  unlawful intercourse with Satan.  In the Old Testament, God used the marriage between Hosea and Gomer, the prostitute, who ran after other lovers to illustrate how Israel had acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.  In the New Testament, the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” (John 8:3-11) He did not condemn her.  God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Her sin was punishable by stoning to death.  However, instead of death, He gave her grace and mercy, which was not an indicator that He approved of her conduct.  He also did not pardon her. Jesus simply brought her and her accusers to a state of consciousness of their individual sins for the purpose of repenting.   Jesus told her to go, turn away from sin by changing her lifestyle.  If we confess our sins and turn away from them, He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Adultery is forgivable but know this beloved, God is against us chasing after other lovers.

Scripture References:  Hosea 1:2 & 2:1-23; John 8:3-11ESV; John 3:17; I John 1:9

Prayer for today:  Father, forgive my unlawful pursuits.  In  JESUS name, AMEN. 

Whatever you must do today, there is a grace for that.  Accept the grace and make it a sweatless day.

Love

Dianne