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<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\nWhat is our responsibility to God? We know that God loves us, that He created us, and that he ultimately suffered and died to save us. We know that \u201cwhile we were yet sinners, Christ died for us\u201d (Romans 5:8). While we know all the wonderous deeds God has done for us, I believe we fail to take hold of our responsibility in the story of our salvation. We embrace the love, but not what that love demands of us. For this, I too am guilty. Allow me to illustrate. <\/span><\/p>\n Jesus stood up and said to her, \u201cWoman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?\u201d She said, \u201cNo one, Lord.\u201d And Jesus said, \u201cNeither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.\u201d (John 8:10-11)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The above verse from John 8 is familiar to any serious Christian. Taken from a larger section, the verses concern a woman caught in adultery. Brought to Jesus, the crowd demand her blood. A trap is set for Jesus. If he refuses to call for her stoning, the crowd can claim Jesus violated the law of Moses. Jesus, not falling into the trap, says to the them, \u201cLet the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.\u201d (Verse 7). In response to the challenge they all dropped their rocks, starting with the eldest.<\/p>\n Once the last accuser departs, Jesus stands and says, \u201cWoman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?\u201d She replies, \u201cNo one, Lord.\u201d This next verse is the crux of the issue, for it is divided into two parts (separated by a semicolon). Jesus says, \u201cNeither do I condemn you;<\/strong> go, and from now on sin no more.\u201d Jesus says that, even though she was caught in the act of adultery, he does not condemn her. He shows her mercy. This is where most in our culture stop. We thank Jesus for his mercy and continue in our sinful ways.<\/p>\n Our culture is in the midst of a deconstruction. This deconstruction is geared towards the redefinition of words that will, in turn, redefine reality.\u00a0Two examples of words that are currently redefined are\u00a0gender<\/em> (to go beyond biological sex) and racism\u00a0<\/em>(as beyond individual choice). The push towards redefinition is itself an exercise in a denial of objective reality. If there is no objective reality, our language and culture create subjective realities<\/em>. In other words, to change the definition of words changes the reality those words function in.<\/p>\n We also see this played out in Christianity, as some who profess a Christian faith also seek to redefine sin. To do this, these same Christians use the tactics of deconstruction to redefine traditionally understood words (like sin) to the point of removing their original meaning and intent. For example, homosexual acts (and many sins of a sexual nature) are redefined as acts of love between two adults. Since homosexual are homosexual by nature (made that way), their sexual actions are now no longer sinful. To illustrate this point, one would only have to see the current conflict between certain Roman Catholic clergy in Germany<\/a> and the Holy See in Rome over the blessing of same sex couples. The Holy See reaffirmed the Church\u2019s historical position on sacramental marriage and that it is impossible to bless \u201csin.\u201d<\/p>\n The attempt to redefine sin is not a modern or post-modern phenomenon. It is as old as humanity itself. Soon after the creation of man, the enemy of God sought humanity\u2019s destruction. In the form of a serpent, the enemy questioned God\u2019s definition of sin. God had made it clear that to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil would lead to death (sin). The serpent questions this command with the phrase, \u201cDid God really say\u2026?\u201d In response, Eve then expands on what God had commanded when she adds that God not only commanded her and Adam to \u201cnot eat,\u201d but that He also told to them to not \u201ceven touch it\u2026\u201d. This last part, God did not\u00a0<\/span>say<\/a>.<\/p>\n The most powerful moment in the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery is the declaration of non-condemnation of Jesus towards the woman. Not only did he\u00a0not<\/strong> condemn her, but he was also the only one \u201cwithout sin\u201d who could have thrown a stone.\u00a0<\/strong>If you are a sinner who understands your sin, this will move you.<\/strong><\/p>\n It is at this point many in our culture stop reading. Jesus does not condemn the woman caught in sin, therefore we ought to do likewise and not condemn others, especially others engaged in actions traditionally considered sexual \u201csins.\u201d Are such \u201csins\u201d truly \u201csins\u201d and not alternative acts of love?\u00a0 It is for God to judge, not us. It is as if Jesus is espousing a \u201clive and let live\u201d ethic. But is he?<\/p>\n Jesus never questions whether the woman committed a sin\u2014she did. While it is true that God is the final judge, we also have a responsibility in this divine transaction. God offers mercy, forgiveness and grace with the admonition to \u201cgo and sin more.\u201d Jesus moves the woman on from her sin by the admonition to leave her sinful past behind. He does not condemn her. Jesus sets her free. What she does next will determine the course of her life\u2014return to sin or \u201csin no more.\u201d Jesus admonishes us, too. Will we turn way from sin or justify sin by its redefinition? The choice is ours.<\/p>\n Like what you read? Please check out my other writing here<\/a>.<\/p>\nIs There Still Such a Thing as Sin?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u201cDid God Really Say\u2026\u201d (Genesis 3:1)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Notice what preceded the fall was first to question the objective truth or set definition of sin God has proclaimed, then the subjectivation and expansion of that definition by Eve, and then finally the ultimate redefinition and fall. We as humans have not changed. We question truth to avoid responsibility.<\/p>\nGo and Sin No More<\/strong><\/h3>\n