by John S Foster

Created on: January 08, 2009

John 8:7 However, when they persisted with their question, He raised Himself up and said, Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her. 8 Then He bent down and went on writing on the ground with His finger. 9 They listened to Him, and then they began going out, conscience-stricken, one by one, from the oldest down to the last one of them, till Jesus was left alone, with the woman standing there before Him in the center of the court.

This passage of scripture is one of the most beautiful in the Bible, because it speaks of complete forgiveness.

We as being carnal humans seem to have a problem with this concept of forgiveness. I believe the root of unforgiveness is in pride. There are many reasons for unforgivness. For example, some one does us wrong or displays disrespect and we hold feelings of hate and resentment towards them. Sometimes we do the wrong thing or fail at a task, and we find it hard to forgive ourselves. And the list goes on and on.

I think the worst judgment and the easiest to fix is when we point out the faults of others, but fail to consider our own faults. Jesus speaks of this in Luke 6:41-42 and in Matthew 7:1-5 speaking about considering the mote in your own eye. I do not just think, I know, because I practice this. When you look at your own faults and consider the state of the human condition, meaning to consider how any one in a similar position may think or act, we will become less judgmental. It is like the old Indian saying about walking a mile in another's shoes.
John 7:24 Be honest in your judgment and do not decide at a glance (superficially and by appearances); but judge fairly and righteously.
I find unfortunately that many Christians are more judgmental then unsaved people. Christians are taught and know godly right from wrong and are quick to point it out in others. Much of it is again because of pride. A little knowledge can be dangerous. Part of this reason is to make ourselves seem important or to have a sense of false holiness or trying to be spiritual, or Self-righteous. The scriptures call it being legalistic, or to be without grace and mercy. In reality, it is a cover-up for our own failings as Jesus spoke of in Mathew 7.

Many of us have seen and heard the W.W.J.D. movement that was around a few years ago. It sounded good, but how many people really tried to do what Jesus would do? This was not a new concept, because this is what the Bible teaches us to do anyway. To be imitators of Christ. 1 Corinthians

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