Corrective LensesSample

YOU ARE FREE

Have you ever randomly thought about what it would feel like if suddenly everyone around you found out about your deepest, darkest secret? The feeling most of us would instantly resort to is shame. In John 8, Jesus was teaching outside the Temple when a woman caught in the act of adultery was brought out in front of the crowd. The Pharisees and other teachers of religious law completely aired this woman’s sin out for everyone to know in an attempt to trap Jesus into saying something they could later use against Him. If anyone is familiar with the feeling of shame, it would be this woman.

Shame can be caused by sin or a variety of other factors, but unlike feeling guilty over something you did wrong, shame makes you feel like part of who you are is intrinsically wrong. One rule of thumb you can use to recognize if shame is what you are dealing with is that it always makes you want to run from God or try to hide from God.

When this story took place, the punishment for adultery was to be stoned. However, Jesus’ response was to let whoever was without sin throw the first stone. This response caused every accuser to slip away until it was only Jesus and the woman left in the middle of the crowd. Not a single person was left to condemn this woman, and Jesus did not condemn her either. Full of mercy and grace, Jesus lovingly told her to go and sin no more.

Everyone has sinned, but God sent His one and only Son to save us, not to condemn us. There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit has freed you from the grip of sin. If the Son of God has set you free, you are free. No matter how far you have run away, or how hard you have tried to hide, you can come back home to the Father, confident that you will be met with His love. It is only the mercy and grace of Jesus that continually allows you to walk in freedom from all sin, guilt, and shame.

SAY THIS OUT LOUD: I AM FREE IN CHRIST JESUS.