Casting the First Stone

Christians can sometimes walk a very fine line between being judgmental and having a standard of godliness. Depending on which side of the fence you are on—judgmental or godly—John 8:7 can mean something different to you.

John 8:7, “So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up Himself, and said unto them, he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” If you are walking in a spirit of judgment, you will be ready to throw that stone. If you are walking in a spirit of godliness, you will turn and walk away.

Recently there have been broken marriages in Hollywood making headline news. First it was Tiger Woods and now it’s Sandra Bullock. The world and the media have been poised, ready to shoot their arrows and give their commentaries. Some Christians have joined right in.

Believers don’t just chime in when there are famous people involved. We are also quick to throw stones when we hear about the latest family drama unfolding within a church family. Divorce, abuse, lies, irresponsibility is just some of the things we hear about and immediately take a judgmental stand on.

But go back to that story in the Bible, where the woman caught in adultery was about to be stoned to death. A crowd had gathered together, ready to make her pay for her sin. A haughty spirit had overtaken each of them. They were so caught up in her sin; they failed to see their own.

Jesus offers the crowd a chance to cast the first stone. The invitation is open but there is a catch. You could only do it if you were without sin. Suddenly the excitement dies down. It doesn’t take long before every single person realizes there won’t be a stoning that day.

Before you cast that judgment, before you decide to cast that first stone, reflect on your own life. What if Jesus had denied you the opportunity of forgiveness? God’s grace is available to all and it really isn’t up to us when and if He disperses it. It’s not our concern how much grace God gives and to whom. We just need to be thankful that He has given it to us and then drop the stones we so eagerly clutch in our hands.

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