Compassion Without Compromise (2)
Posted by: biblenotes <biblenotes@...>
From: Martin M Overfield
Date: Thu, 11 May 2000
Compassion Without Compromise (2)
(Based on John 8:1-11)
"Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." (John 8:11b)
The rest of the outline:
COMPASSION WITHOUT COMPROMISE
III. The Compassion of the Savior
If any could have condemned this sinful woman, it was He,
the spotless Lamb of God "Who did no sin, neither was guile
found in his mouth:" (I Peter 2:22). Also, "the Father ... hath
committed all judgment unto the Son:" (John 5:22). HE certainly
was worthy to cast a stone at her.
A. A Compassion that Does Not Condemn the Sinner
"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world;
but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth
on him is not condemned:" (John 3:17, 18a)
B. A Compassion that Does Not Condone the Sin
Jesus would eat with "publicans and sinners" and was a friend of
sinners, but He did not condone - "treat as trivial, harmless, or of
no importance" -- their sins (Webster's 9th Collegiate Dictionary).
He did not overlook sin or sweep it under the rug.
Hear the words of Paul, "I wrote unto you in an epistle not to
company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of
this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for
then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto
you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a
fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or
an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat." (I Corinthians 5:9-11)
C. A Compassion that Does Not Compromise with Sin
Jesus had compassion on sinners without compromising with their
sins. He liberated without being "liberal". He made no allowances for
the continuance of sin or for its coexistence with the forgiveness that He
offers.
D. A Compassion that Demands Compliance to God's Standard
Jesus had said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the
prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." (Matthew 5:17) (see
also Bible Note title "Righteousness Required"). Now, being consistent
with His own teachings, He says to the sinful woman, "Go and sin no more."
This compassion DEMANDS holy living. Jesus' type of compassion
helps people to "line up" without being legal.
Christ's Compassion:
1. Enables us to Keep God's Commandments &
2. Expects us to Keep God's Commandments
The liberty that we have in Christ does NOT give us a license to sin.
"As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness,
but as the servants of God." (I Peter 2:16)
"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty
for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all
the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy
neighbour as thyself." (Galatians 5:13, 14)
Yours In Christ,
Martin Overfield
Please send this Bible Note to everyone who may be interested or helped by
it. To subscribe to these FREE Bible Notes please send a blank e-mail to
[email protected]