Becoming Like Jesus: Confession and RepentanceSample

Go and Sin No More

Today, we are looking at an incredible story of grace, truth, redemption, and repentance. As we do, we are going to learn to see ourselves and our sin the way Jesus does so we can learn to live the way Jesus does.

Keep reading.

Pray…

Lord Jesus, thank you for being grace and truth. You see things as they really are. There is no deception in you. And you still love me. You still invite me to know you. When I start to forget, remind me how you see me. When I fall short, remind me that you are there with me. Give me the strength to change my ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Read…

“All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:7-11 NLT

Consider….

The woman in this story was caught in an act of adultery and brought before Jesus. The Pharisees wanted to see what Jesus would do. Would Jesus uphold the law of Moses that says this woman should be stoned? Or would Jesus go against Moses? They were trying to trap Him, but Jesus had something better planned.

John tells us that Jesus began to write in the dirt. We don’t know what He wrote, but eventually, He stood up and said the words we read above, “let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”

One by one, the accusers begin to slip away. The oldest first, and then the youngest. Until it was just Jesus and the woman left.

“Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

Jesus chose to show this woman mercy. And He commanded her to go and sin no more. The same mercy and command has been given to all of us as well. We are sinners, like that woman, and our sin has consequences. But by the grace of God, we have been forgiven. Now, as forgiven people, we have been brought into a new way of life. So how are we now to live? We are to sin no more. We are to pursue love, holiness, and goodness for the rest of our days. Obeying the commands of our King. Serving as citizens of His Kingdom.

Practice…

Go and sin no more.

What sin do you need to repent from? Is there something that keeps tripping you up? What steps can you take to eliminate the temptation today so you won’t have to keep resisting it in the future?

Whatever the sin is, share it with some people who can pray for you as you begin to change your ways.

Listen…

Find a quiet place where you can continue to spend time with God. Maybe you have a favorite chair, a certain spot in your backyard, or a particularly cozy closet. Wherever you need to go to limit distractions, do it.

Set a timer for five-ten minutes. Ask God to speak to you. When you get distracted, come back to God by praying this Scripture:

Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Psalm 86:11 NLT

When the timer ends, thank God for the time you spent together and go into your day looking for opportunities to love Him and love others.