A book could be written about this chapter of John’s gospel, but I’m going to focus my comments on four things.

One, the story of the woman caught in adultery. After her accusers have left, Jesus says to her in verse 11: “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” I’ve always seen these words as guidance for how we as Christians should deal with people when they sin. It is a balanced approach of acknowledging the sin while showing compassion to the sinner. Liberals often focus on Jesus not condemning her while ignoring that He also tells her to sin no more. Judgmental conservatives often focus on Jesus telling her to sin no more while ignoring the fact that He dealt with her very compassionately. As followers of Christ we must put the two together – holiness and compassion. Holiness without compassion will lead to arrogance and a judgmental attitude, while compassion without holiness will lead to sinful compromises. Having both holiness and compassion makes us like Jesus.

Two, belief in Jesus is necessary for a person to be “OK” when they die. In verses 21 and 24 Jesus makes it clear that anyone who dies without faith in Him dies in their sins. That means they die without forgiveness for their sins and still under the judgment of God for their sins. When you hear someone say about a person who recently died: “He was a good man, so I think he’s with God.” – They are wrong. He is not with God because he was a good man – or a good woman. To be with God when they die, a person has to have lived with faith in Jesus. Otherwise, they are still in their sins. So says Jesus.

Three, knowing and obeying God’s word helps us become godly in our lifestyles and defeat temptation and sinful desires. Read what Jesus said in verses 31-34. When we sin, we give sin greater power over us. Jesus actually said we become a “slave of sin.” It tries to master us. To be “free” from this power sin and temptation try to exert in our lives as believers, we must “continue” in His word. Daily Bible reading and obedience to what we read are two keys to victory over temptation and sin. To “know” the truth is to experience the truth – to literally read and obey Jesus’ words. If we only touch a Bible on Sundays we will be spiritually weak. If we feed on His word daily we will be spiritually strong.

Four, Jesus tells us that anyone who really does know God will believe His word and love Jesus. We live in a time when most people consider themselves “spiritual” – whatever that means. They believe in a “god” or higher being. They don’t necessarily believe in the personal God of the Bible and they certainly don’t believe God’s word, the Bible. Yet Jesus said in verse 42 that people who genuinely have a relationship with God the Father will also love Him. On one knows God who rejects Jesus. He also said in verses 45 and 47 that people who genuinely have a relationship with God hear and believe God’s word – including what Jesus’ words. On one knows God who rejects what He says in His Word – the Bible.

Pastor Steve Hogg