Don’t Condemn Yourself

Jesus doesn't condemn you, don't condemn yourself.

By Jesse Flores

Key Takeaways

Often, we can be harder on ourselves than Jesus is on us. Especially if we’ve already been forgiven. Not only is that unhelpful, but it can also create a real obstacle to grace.

Scripture Reading

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area,
and all the people started coming to him,
and he sat down and taught them.
Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman
who had been caught in adultery
and made her stand in the middle.
They said to him,
“Teacher, this woman was caught
in the very act of committing adultery.
Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women.
So what do you say?”
They said this to test him,
so that they could have some charge to bring against him.
Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.
But when they continued asking him,
he straightened up and said to them,
“Let the one among you who is without sin
be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.
And in response, they went away one by one,
beginning with the elders.
So he was left alone with the woman before him.
Then Jesus straightened up and said to her,
“Woman, where are they?
Has no one condemned you?”
She replied, “No one, sir.”
Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you.
Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”
JN 8:1-11

From Solo to Systems

After Moses led the Israelites out of the Promised Land, his leadership was in high demand. Usually. At times, people grumbled greatly against him. But, in general, he was seen as the unequivocal leader of this movement. As a result, he was in high demand – everyone wanted to know what he thought about this...