Drop Your Rocks

John 8: 1-11
1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do You say?" 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of You is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned You?"

11"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn You," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave Your life of sin."

My Beloved Savior-
I humbly and ashamedly bow at Your feet seeking mercy and grace. Forgive me for all the times I've insulted others for their immoral, improper behavior. Trying to show my disapproval, I disgraced and dishonored not only them, but also You. I'm no better than the religious leaders and Pharisees. My own unduly and unbecoming behavior is repulsive.
I've bashed friends, family, and acquaintances with stones of criticism. I've battered, bruised and broken spirits with the rocks I've cast. I'm so sorry, Jesus. I'll try to never throw another stone at anyone, no matter what they do.

• When I speak hateful words that kill spirits, I have committed murder.
• When I flirt with someone of the opposite sex, I have committed adultery.
• If I have not loved my spouse biblically, I can’t condemn divorce.
• When I don’t regularly spend time in Bible Study and prayer, I am no better than the person who sleeps in on Sunday morning and worships the mattress.
• If I overeat regularly, I can't convict the drug or alcohol addict.
• Taking tablets, pens, and paperclips home from work is stealing, and makes me thief.
• When I talk about others, no matter the situation, I'm guilty of gossip and slander which in
• Your eyes is as bad as killing or stealing.
• Going shopping, running errands, and doing chores on Sunday dishonors You and the Sabbath.
  

The list could go on and on. There is no sin I haven't committed in my heart and mind. Like this woman, some day I will stand alone with You. You alone will judge me. With Your help, I will accept Your forgiveness and walk away from the wicked world that entraps me. By Your grace, I'll show the same mercy to others that You have shown to me.

Thank You Jesus, for teaching me this important lesson on judgment and forgiveness. Please just give me more Holy Spirit power to apply it to my life for Your namesake. Amen
Apply the lesson Jesus taught by dropping Your rocks. You are no better than the Pharisees either. Lord, have mercy!