When They Miss The Mark
“They kept demanding an answer, so He stood up again and said, ‘All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!’” - John 8:7
Over the past week, we have discussed the futility of perfectionism. As human beings, we are not and cannot be perfect. If we make perfection our goal, we are setting ourselves up for failure. God has set us free from the strenuous law of the Old Testament through salvation.
There is a passage in John 8 where a woman is caught in the act of adultery. And those who were teachers of the religious law brought the woman before Jesus. They were trying to trap Jesus, as the law of Moses said they should stone her.
They wanted Jesus to answer so they could see if He would contradict the law. So, Jesus answers them in John 8:7, “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” We have all sinned and have no place to be the judge and jury for others.
Is there someone in your life that you are ready to stone? Not literally, but you wish they would be punished. They have wronged you, and you want revenge. You keep waiting for God to bury them with punishment. You want to see them suffer. But have you considered your wrongdoing in plotting their demise?
The same measure God judges them is the same measure He judges us. And we all miss the mark from time to time. We are all sinners, and we all mess up. Jesus didn’t just die for you. He died for your friend, your family, your coworkers, and even your adversaries. He died for everyone.
God has given us grace and mercy as wonderful gifts, knowing we will never be perfect. And as believers, we should exemplify those amazing gifts. Just as Jesus has extended grace and mercy to us, we should do the same to those who have wronged us!
Over the past week, we have discussed the futility of perfectionism. As human beings, we are not and cannot be perfect. If we make perfection our goal, we are setting ourselves up for failure. God has set us free from the strenuous law of the Old Testament through salvation.
There is a passage in John 8 where a woman is caught in the act of adultery. And those who were teachers of the religious law brought the woman before Jesus. They were trying to trap Jesus, as the law of Moses said they should stone her.
They wanted Jesus to answer so they could see if He would contradict the law. So, Jesus answers them in John 8:7, “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” We have all sinned and have no place to be the judge and jury for others.
Is there someone in your life that you are ready to stone? Not literally, but you wish they would be punished. They have wronged you, and you want revenge. You keep waiting for God to bury them with punishment. You want to see them suffer. But have you considered your wrongdoing in plotting their demise?
The same measure God judges them is the same measure He judges us. And we all miss the mark from time to time. We are all sinners, and we all mess up. Jesus didn’t just die for you. He died for your friend, your family, your coworkers, and even your adversaries. He died for everyone.
God has given us grace and mercy as wonderful gifts, knowing we will never be perfect. And as believers, we should exemplify those amazing gifts. Just as Jesus has extended grace and mercy to us, we should do the same to those who have wronged us!
Subscribe Now for Free Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2023
January
The Disease of PerfectionismThe Perfect WaveJust StartJust the Way You AreYou Are FreeThe Blessing of ImperfectionDon’t Go Back!When They Miss The MarkSee It ThemselvesValueLove Your EnemiesQualified by GodCan You Just Enjoy the Trip?Greater is HeEveryone Has a Story to TellWho Needs Your Story?It All Has PurposeThe Shoulders on Which We StandRemember Your PastGreater Than UsAre You a Worrier?God is in ControlEven The BirdsHis WillHis WayHis TimeDo Not Be AnxiousLook Beyond the BarrierThank HimThe Peace of GodGuard Your HeartGuard Your Mind
February
Keep on TickingStoned but Not StoppedSomeone Needs Your EndingGuaranteed VictoryNext in LineYou’re That ImportantIt’s Not That EasyContinue in the FaithSee It ThemselvesAnyone Can Do ThatSeeing is Not BelievingHERE and NOWThings Not SeenNothing Can Stop YouWill You Stay in The Game?You Never ImaginedYou Can Live...With ItBounce BackYou Don’t Have to WaitYou Don’t Need PermissionHe Can Handle ItA God of ComfortHe Sees YouHe Secures YouHe Shows YouHiding in HolinessFreedom in ChristRoom For a Miracle
March
A God of HopeImpossible to PleaseAnything is PossibleA Powerful PostureUnfinishedHope Anchors Our LivesHope Gives Us AccessHope Enables PerseveranceWaiting With ExpectationStuck on What’s BehindTomorrow’s ScriptStill PossibleStill TrueYou Have Favor"I’m Good"You Missed ItThe Pain of RegretMissing JesusThe Back BurnerKnowledge Isn’t EnoughProfits and PromotionsThe One You MissGO NOWWhat Are You Looking For?Call on HimWorth the WaitHe is Not SlowWaiting on YOUDo You Still Believe?Remaining in God’s PresenceEverything You Need
No Comments