Our Unstoppable God
The Text
John 8:2–11 (CSB)
2 At dawn he went to the temple again, and all the people were coming to him. He sat down and began to teach them.3 Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, making her stand in the center.
4 “Teacher,” they said to him, “this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery.
5 In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?”
6 They asked this to trap him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse him. Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with his finger.
7 When they persisted in questioning him, he stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.”
8 Then he stooped down again and continued writing on the ground.
9 When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only he was left, with the woman in the center.
10 When Jesus stood up, he said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”
The Devotion
No one could assume that the adulteress then lived a perfect life from this point. No one would speculate that she never sinned again. Yet, in God the Father's eyes, not only forgiven, but rather, she had never sinned because she trusted in the whom the Father had sent.
We could easily write a fictional piece on the adulteress. We want to write that she lived a holy life in Shekinah glory for all of her days on earth. But any person born again longer than a day knows full well that the adulteress sinned. Her own addictions. Her own trauma keeps repeating the cycle of sin. She does not struggle with sin. She does sin. You do not struggle with sin. You do sin. I do not struggle with sin. I do sin. We all do. We have all fallen short of the glory of God. We are not going to be graded on a curve. For:
Romans 3:23 (CSB) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
James 2:10 (CSB) For whoever keeps the entire law, and yet stumbles at one point, is guilty of breaking it all.
Galatians 3:10 (CSB) For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written: Everyone who does not do everything written in the book of the law is cursed.
Wretched man that I am! A wretched woman that she was! She did sinned. I will sin. That same sin that I have been forgiven of, I will do. Will there be condemnation in my future?
We cannot speculate on the adulteress--what sins she committed. But I will tell you this: I know that I know she had the Holy Spirit dwelling in her because God the Father had mercy on her, forgave her, and made his home in her. I know this because the Son of God, who is God, did not condemn her but died for her in her place for her sin.
We know that the adulteress sinned. But we also know that because she had the Holy Spirit dwelling in her, the Father gave her the gift of repentance. And time and time again, no matter how deep the sin, Christ was instantly able and willing to forgive her.
1 John 1:9 (CSB) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Turn to Christ, and you will be instantly forgiven. Not a drop of wrath is reserved for you--Christ drank the cup of wrath in full. Not a bit of condemnation is held back for you for your future sins--when Christ died, all of your sins were future sins. You are secured. You are sealed. You are set free. You are forgiven. You are loved. You are a child of God.
Oh close and blessed union! Justified by God, accepted in Christ, condemnation there cannot be. I stand in the Divine presence as Joshua stood before the Lord, or as the woman stood before the Savior, charged, accused, guilty; but I am in the presence of him who, though now he sits upon the throne as my Judge, once hung upon the cross as my Savior. And, investing me with his own spotless robe, he proceeds to pronounce the sentence- "NO CONDEMNATION!"
"These things write I unto you that your joy may be full."
Octavius Winslow. No Condemnation in Christ Jesus. 191.
The adulteress turned the Christ when she sinned because Christ came to save us from our sins. The adulteress was bondage to corruption and Christ the Firstborn came to make her a child of God and give her the freedom that only belongs to the children of God. The adulteress was the worst of sinners! But didn't Christ come to save even the chief of sinners?
That's her. That's you. That's me.
But God loved us.
Romans 5:6-8 (CSB) For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person — though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
But God loved us.
Romans 5:10 (CSB) For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life!
But God loved us.
1 John 4:10 (CSB) Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
But God loved us.
Galatians 2:20 (CSB) I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
We sinned but God loved us.
Psalm 103:8-14 (CSB)
The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in faithful love.
He will not always accuse us
or be angry forever.
He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve
or repaid us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his faithful love
toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed
our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
For he knows what we are made of,
remembering that we are dust.
We keep sinning, but God keeps loving us.
Titus 3:3–7 (CSB) For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
We have forever broken the law of God but God will forever love us.
Ephesians 2:1–10 (CSB) And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient. We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.
My child, God will never stop loving you because he never started loving you.
Ephesians 1:3–14 (CSB) Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ as a plan for the right time—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him. In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory. In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.
This is the great love of God.
John 3:14–17 (CSB) “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
And there is nothing that will come between you and the Triune God.
Romans 8:36–39 (CSB) As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Christ is forever for you. Blessed be his name forever and ever. Amen.
The Scriptures
1 John 4:7–21 (CSB)
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him.
10 Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
11 Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another.
12 No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is made complete in us.
13 This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.
14 And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent his Son as the world’s Savior.
15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God—God remains in him and he in God.
16 And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.
17 In this, love is made complete with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as he is, so also are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love.
19 We love because he first loved us.
20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
21 And we have this command from him: The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.
Lamentations 3:22–24 (CSB) Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! I say, “The LORD is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.”
Genesis 1:1 (CSB) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Exodus 20:1–6 (CSB) Then God spoke all these words: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. Do not have other gods besides me. Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commands.
Exodus 34:6–7 (CSB) The LORD passed in front of him and proclaimed: The LORD—the LORD is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But he will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation.
Numbers 14:18–19 (CSB) The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in faithful love, forgiving iniquity and rebellion. But he will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generation. Please pardon the iniquity of this people, in keeping with the greatness of your faithful love, just as you have forgiven them from Egypt until now.”
Deuteronomy 7:12–13 (CSB) “If you listen to and are careful to keep these ordinances, the LORD your God will keep his covenant loyalty with you, as he swore to your ancestors. He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will bless your offspring, and the produce of your land—your grain, new wine, and fresh oil—the young of your herds, and the newborn of your flocks, in the land he swore to your ancestors that he would give you.
1 Chronicles 16:34 (CSB) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 17:6–9 (CSB)
6 I call on you, God, because you will answer me; listen closely to me; hear what I say.7 Display the wonders of your faithful love, Savior of all who seek refuge from those who rebel against your right hand.
8 Protect me as the pupil of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings
9 from the wicked who treat me violently, my deadly enemies who surround me.
Psalm 52:8 (CSB) But I am like a flourishing olive tree in the house of God; I trust in God’s faithful love forever and ever.
Psalm 61:7 (CSB) May he sit enthroned before God forever. Appoint faithful love and truth to guard him.
Psalm 77:8 (CSB) Has his faithful love ceased forever? Is his promise at an end for all generations?
Psalm 89:1 (CSB) I will sing about the LORD’s faithful love forever; I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations with my mouth.
Psalm 89:2 (CSB) For I will declare, “Faithful love is built up forever; you establish your faithfulness in the heavens.”
Psalm 89:28 (CSB) I will always preserve my faithful love for him, and my covenant with him will endure.
Psalm 100:5 (CSB) For the LORD is good, and his faithful love endures forever; his faithfulness, through all generations.
Psalm 106:1 (CSB) Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1 (CSB) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 117:1–2 (CSB) Praise the LORD, all nations! Glorify him, all peoples! For his faithful love to us is great; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever. Hallelujah!
Psalm 118:1–29 (CSB)
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.2 Let Israel say, “His faithful love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His faithful love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the LORD say, “His faithful love endures forever.”
5 I called to the LORD in distress; the LORD answered me and put me in a spacious place.
6 The LORD is for me; I will not be afraid. What can a mere mortal do to me?
7 The LORD is my helper; therefore, I will look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humanity.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in nobles.
10 All the nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I destroyed them.
11 They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I destroyed them.
12 They surrounded me like bees; they were extinguished like a fire among thorns; in the name of the LORD I destroyed them.
13 They pushed me hard to make me fall, but the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
15 There are shouts of joy and victory in the tents of the righteous: “The LORD’s right hand performs valiantly!
16 The LORD’s right hand is raised. The LORD’s right hand performs valiantly!”
17 I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the LORD has done.
18 The LORD disciplined me severely but did not give me over to death.
19 Open the gates of righteousness for me; I will enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the LORD’s gate; the righteous will enter through it.
21 I will give thanks to you because you have answered me and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
23 This came from the LORD; it is wondrous in our sight.
24 This is the day the LORD has made; let’s rejoice and be glad in it.
25 LORD, save us! LORD, please grant us success!
26 He who comes in the name of the LORD is blessed. From the house of the LORD we bless you.
27 The LORD is God and has given us light. Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will give you thanks. You are my God; I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1–26 (CSB)
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His faithful love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His faithful love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever.
4 He alone does great wonders. His faithful love endures forever.
5 He made the heavens skillfully. His faithful love endures forever.
6 He spread the land on the waters. His faithful love endures forever.
7 He made the great lights: His faithful love endures forever.
8 the sun to rule by day, His faithful love endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to rule by night. His faithful love endures forever.
10 He struck the firstborn of the Egyptians His faithful love endures forever.
11 and brought Israel out from among them His faithful love endures forever.
12 with a strong hand and outstretched arm. His faithful love endures forever.
13 He divided the Red Sea His faithful love endures forever.
14 and led Israel through, His faithful love endures forever.
15 but hurled Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea. His faithful love endures forever.
16 He led his people in the wilderness. His faithful love endures forever.
17 He struck down great kings His faithful love endures forever.
18 and slaughtered famous kings— His faithful love endures forever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorites His faithful love endures forever.
20 and Og king of Bashan— His faithful love endures forever.
21 and gave their land as an inheritance, His faithful love endures forever.
22 an inheritance to Israel his servant. His faithful love endures forever.
23 He remembered us in our humiliation His faithful love endures forever.
24 and rescued us from our foes. His faithful love endures forever.
25 He gives food to every creature. His faithful love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven! His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 138:8 (CSB)
8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me. LORD, your faithful love endures forever; do not abandon the work of your hands.
Hosea 2:16–23 (CSB) In that day— this is the LORD’s declaration— you will call me, “My husband,” and no longer call me, “My Baal.” For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth; they will no longer be remembered by their names. On that day I will make a covenant for them with the wild animals, the birds of the sky, and the creatures that crawl on the ground. I will shatter bow, sword, and weapons of war in the land and will enable the people to rest securely. I will take you to be my wife forever. I will take you to be my wife in righteousness, justice, love, and compassion. I will take you to be my wife in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD. On that day I will respond— this is the LORD’s declaration. I will respond to the sky, and it will respond to the earth. The earth will respond to the grain, the new wine, and the fresh oil, and they will respond to Jezreel. I will sow her in the land for myself, and I will have compassion on Lo-ruhamah; I will say to Lo-ammi: You are my people, and he will say, “You are my God.”
Matthew 5:45 (CSB) so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
1 John 3:1 (CSB) See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him.