APRIL 16

NO CONDEMNATION FOR OTHERS

“For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17

Not sent to condemn! There was no doubt that the law had been broken, the scribes and Pharisees were very sure about that, when they brought the woman to Jesus, and said, “the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest Thou?” (John 8:5). What He said certainly changed the whole course of events, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” So smitten by their own conscience, one by one they slipped away, and Jesus said to her, “Where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” Well He knew what the letter of the law read, and He, Himself, fulfilled all the righteousness of the law. But He never came to condemn, only to save, make whole, and bring into that righteousness which even exceeded that of the law.

In the record of Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, who, when he was healed of his leprosy, obviously believed on the Lord God of Israel, and said, “Thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the Lord. Howbeit in this thing the Lord pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, to worship there, the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing. And Elisha said unto him, Go in peace.” (II Kings 5:17-19). Elisha would never have bowed down in the house of Rimmon. He was an Israelite, he belonged to Jehovah, He obeyed His laws. But neither would Elisha become a law unto Naaman, to bind him to the “letter of the law”, for God’s mercy and wisdom is far greater. Let Naaman obey from the heart, regardless of what was required of him in the flesh. “Go in peace”. No condemnation from Elisha. What an example of love and grace, which we do well to exercise unto all men.

Ray Prinzing

Sister Doris Prinzing
1130 Allumbaugh St. Apt 257
Boise, Id 83704-8700

Home | Preston Eby | Elwin Roach | Margit Roach | Ray Knight