THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - PART 431

Continuing on from PART 430, we know that a woman was being taken to be stoned. We also know that her male counterpart was overlooked. Because of the accusers' conscience and similarly by the Grace of God, some were filled with guilt or pity or compassion toward the woman. Indeed, their pricked conscience was quickly seared as they returned to embrace their traditional religious upbringing.

But God gave men and women a conscience. It is a conscience or new awakening given to each and every one of us from God. Internally, a conscience abides in all men. But seemingly, according to the scriptures, it is possible to sear ones conscience so that one no longer feels anything. Man upon reaching that point is totally cut off from God and therefore becomes fit for nothing, except to be burned.

Except in this paraphrased scriptural example, JESUS said to the Jews, go ahead and do your dastardly deed. Just make very sure that he who throws the first stone is without sin. WOW! One could say that this statement really was a shot across the bow.

We never did find out from the scriptures what JESUS wrote on the ground as he patiently awaited their response. Yes, their response as far as words were concerned was not worth hearing. These accusers simply abandoned the woman. JESUS looked at the woman saying, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way and sin no more."

This example is a perfect example of God's love for us. JESUS -- GOD Himself manifest in the flesh did not come from Heaven to earth to condemn us. Rather, JESUS came to save man.

Now note that the woman was a Jew and the others who were about to stone the woman were Jews as well. They did not address the Lord as Yeshua. They called Him JESUS! For JESUS is the name given to Him by His Father the Holy Spirit, and rightly so, JESUS being the Son of God conceived of the Holy Ghost! The important point here is that they all were Jews and none of those at the stoning - especially the Jewish woman - will never, ever call this man by any other name other than JESUS.

Likewise, all of us BELIEVING Jews and Gentiles will never endeavour to superimpose another name other than JESUS. For born again believers rightly know if it had not been for God’s intervention in our lives, we might be possibly stoned or ridiculed in a same or different fashion. Keep this thought as a review of Saul's/Paul's experience will be continued in the next post.

In the interim, remember that when one comes to JESUS the Christ, one becomes a new creation, created in the image of the Son of the Holy Ghost, who is the second Adam! Who is the Lord Himself out of Heaven endeavouring not to carry religious ways into this new creation. Instead, God desires that His redeemed believers worship not with formality and tradition but rather, in newness of Spirit. For our body is the temple in which His Holy Spirit desires to dwell. Believers are the body of JESUS and His Spirit now abides in us, even as His Spirit had dwelt in His earthly body which He willingly sacrificed for our redemption!

Thus we need to return to God, repentant, having shunned God in our lives. Ask God for forgiveness and then obediently and willingly submit to God’s Spirit. Read ACTS 2:36-42 for details. Peace to one and all!