The Problem of Sin | Grace and Forgiveness
by Daniel Burton
A Christian cannot have a reasonable discussion of sin and the consequences of sin without mentioning the crux of the Gospel; Jesus Christ died for sinners and offers forgiveness for their sins. Discussions of sin often become bogged down in either the acts of sin themselves or bypass any mention of sin, allowing people to continue in their sin. As we discussed in our previous post, the sin separated us from the fullness of God’s presence and made us deserving of death and separation from God. Yet, in God’s gracious mercy, by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, we have the opportunity to not only be forgiven from our sins but also enter into the fullness of God’s presence. We have been forgiven from our sins. We lay before the cross of Jesus Christ, pouring our sin out on Christ, knowing that he sustains us and forgives us. Furthermore, we have the opportunity to forgive ourselves and forgive one another. No matter the sin that we have done or the distance that we have traveled from God, everyone is offered the forgiveness in Jesus Christ and can extend the same forgiveness to one another.
The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”
Forgiveness for Ourselves
Of everyone I have trouble forgiving, I have the most trouble forgiving myself. Imagine for a moment being the woman drug out and thrown before the most perfect teacher. The crowd lays bear our sin, improprieties, and vulnerabilities. In that moment, the woman needed no reminder of her sin. Nor, frankly speaking, do we we need a reminder of our sin. Most of us know our sin and understand the consequences of what we do. Furthermore, we strive very hard to do whatever we can to self-medicate away the thoughts of our own sin. Yet, the more we hold on to unforgiveness to ourselves, the deeper we spiral into the pit of despair that leads to further sin. We cannot get better on our own and deserve the full punishment of sin. Jesus, however, offers something radically different than the punishment to our sins.
The only person justifiably able to sinlessly cast the stones on the woman told her to, instead, go and sin no more. He did not claim she had not sinned nor did He claim that she would pay the punishment. Jesus Christ forgave her and gave her permission to forgive herself. Everyone needs grace upon grace upon grace. We can forgive ourselves and go and sin no more. When the High King of Heaven declares us to be innocent having been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, His death a propitiation for our sins, we can forgive ourselves and step into the newness of life that is offered to us in Jesus Christ. We are no longer the people we once were, having been created new. Our past self has been put to death and our new self comes alive. Forgiving ourselves acknowledges our past sin but declares our God greater than our past sin. It lays down a foundation of hope and future by the grace and forgiveness that comes from Jesus Christ.
Forgiveness for Others
The religious leaders in John 8 dragged the woman out quickly to punish her according to her sins. The religious leaders quickly sought to challenge the Rabbi who taught that the Pharisees and Sadducees were missing the true God. Furthermore, the sought the enactment of the punishment that the woman rightfully deserved (Leviticus 20:10) even though the man who had committed adultery could not be found. The Pharisees sought to only use her as a prop. Jesus, though, understanding the fullness of the law and how it ultimately found its fulfillment in Him, knew their hearts. The judgmental heart of the scribes and Pharisees showed itself clearly. In the pursuit of supposed holiness, they had become bitter and unforgiving. The neglected the sin in their own lives while casting the fiery judgment upon those God called them to teach, guide, and protect.
No one is exactly sure what Jesus wrote in the sand, whether it be names, specific secret sins, or even the holy language. Whatever Jesus wrote, the words cause the scribes and Pharisees to throw down their stones and walk away. Our sin is no worse than the sin of others. The forgiveness that Christ offers to us regardless of our sin allows us to extend the same forgiveness to others. Our role is not to pronounce judgement on people but to communicate the Gospel of grace of forgiveness so that everyone might experience the forgiveness of love of God. We can forgive others of much because we have been forgiven of even more. Everyone carries past hurts and pains, but holding on to them only damages ourselves. Furthermore, when we expect others to behave perfectly, we hold ourselves to the same standard which we cannot possibly uphold. Instead, forgiving others lays the imperfections of ourselves and others before the Lord as we link arms with one another in pursuit of a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
For more in this series, check out The Problem of Sin
