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The Demands Of Forgiveness

The forgiveness that Jesus taught is not soft-hearted, mush-mouthed foolishness. Forgiveness is full of compassion, but it demands a change in conduct. Hear this: to forgive another person without demanding a change in their conduct is to make the grace of God an accomplice to evil. That may be the most powerful statement you have ever read, so read it again: To forgive another person without demanding a change in their conduct is to make the grace of God an accomplice to evil.

Look at this story told of a woman caught in adultery in John 8:3-11. The Pharisees were always trying to trap Jesus. Whether it was putting a blind man on His path so that they could accuse Him of working on the Sabbath or attempting to outwit Him with their vast knowledge of Mosaic law, they focused all their energy and attention on trying to make Jesus look bad. Imagine if they had spent half that time and energy learning from Him what they could have accomplished for the kingdom!

If you’ve ever stuck your fingers in your ears and said, “I can’t hear you!”, you know how aggravating this can be to your questioner. Jesus refused to engage or even acknowledge the Pharisees. You can just imagine the sound of their blood boiling as each second passed by in silence.

Jesus’ silence didn’t shut them up, but He knew what would. You’ve no doubt heard the saying, ‘when you point your finger at someone, you have three more pointing back at you.’ This is precisely the argument that Jesus used on the Pharisees. If those fingers pointing back at you come up clean, free from sin, then go ahead. Find the biggest rock you can lift and throw it at her. In fact, be the first to throw rocks at her to prove just how right and pure and without sin you are. 

The Pharisees may have had impure motives. Their method may have been all wrong. But they weren’t about to claim personal perfection. The oldest and wisest among the bunch were the first to drop their stones, tuck tail, and leave. They were followed one-by-one by those with the pride that comes with youth, until only Jesus was left to judge the woman. 

Jesus had every right to judge the woman. He alone was without sin, perfect in every way. Yet, He refused to condemn her. He forgave her, but forgiveness did not come without its own demand: “go and sin no more.” His point was clear: “I forgive you, but I expect you to change your conduct.” 

It is true that God will forgive you of all sin that is confessed and forsaken, but you can’t just do the confessing without the forsaking. If you don’t forsake your sin — which means to renounce, to turn away from, to give it up — then you’re in trouble and not walking in the grace and mercy of the Lord. 

Simply stated, when God forgives you of sin, He expects you to stop it. Period. Go and sin no more!