4Women ...for women searching relevance in life

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall 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.” John 3:16-17

Here is a promise: God loves YOU. God’s will is to save you, not to condemn you.

Life was falling apart for a godly man called Job. He lost family members and possessions and endured terrible physical suffering. Job tried to understand God’s role in his circumstances. Was God condemning him? At one point Job said to God: “Don't just condemn me! Point out my sin… Guilty or innocent, I am condemned and ashamed because of my troubles. No matter how hard I try, you keep hunting me down like a powerful lion. You never stop accusing me; you become furious and attack over and over again.” Job 10:2, 15-16

Sometimes when things don’t go right, we may think that God doesn’t care for us, that He no longer loves us. We may think that God is punishing us for things we have done wrong.

But John 3:16-17 above tells us the wonderful truth of God’s purposes - God loves YOU. God’s will is to save you, not to condemn you.

This truth is seen in the story of a woman who had a surprising encounter with Jesus. John 8:1-11 Here is her story: Accused of adultery by the religious leaders of her day, they had found her guilty and deserving punishment by stoning. She was a condemned woman. Would Jesus look upon her with the same condemnation?

Jesus said to her accusers: “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7 Her accusers walked away until only Jesus remained. Jesus, the sinless Son of God; the only one qualified to throw the first stone. He could rightfully sentence her. But this is also Jesus, the Son of God sent into the world to save the world. He could only save her.

Regardless of the mess-ups in her life, there was no accusation; she was not charged with her crime, no condemnation; she was not found guilty, no judgment; she was not punished. Instead, Jesus reversed her position. She moved from accused to absolved. She moved from a death sentence to the gift of life. Completely undeserved and completely unearned, mercy was freely given.

This is God’s message to the world: He loves first, He gives mercy first, and He provides a way to life first – through his Son Jesus Christ.

How did this woman respond? We don’t know. But Jesus asked her to respond. John 8:11 How do you respond to God’s message of love?