Grace that Sets Us Free

Day 4 - Grace that Sets Us Free

Scripture:

“Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

John 8:11 (ESV)

To be more like Jesus means more than believing what He believed, it means having His heart for people and responding the way He would respond. In John 8, we see a woman caught in adultery brought before Jesus. The crowd is outraged. The religious leaders are ready to bring the hammer down. According to the law, the punishment is clear: death by stoning.

But something feels off. If they were truly after justice, where was the man?
This wasn’t justice, it was selective outrage. The leaders weren’t interested in restoration. They were looking for condemnation. And they were hoping to trap Jesus in the process.

What I’m grateful for is this: Jesus isn’t like us.

We tend to sort people into neat categories.
We like to condemn.
We like to point out the failures of others often while ignoring our own reflection in the mirror.

But Jesus doesn’t need to condemn others to feel better about Himself. Instead, He does something profound. After saying, “Let the one who has no sin cast the first stone,” He kneels down and writes in the sand. We don’t know what He wrote—but whatever it was, it was enough. One by one, the accusers walk away.

When Jesus looks up, only the woman remains.
And then come the words that change everything:
“Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more.”

No lecture.
No shaming.
No scarlet letter.

Jesus doesn’t excuse her sin but He also doesn’t define her by it. He forgives her and calls her into a new way of living. Grace and truth, perfectly held together. Just as John said, Jesus was full of grace and truth.

This moment teaches us two powerful lessons.
First, we should be more like Jesus with others, extending grace instead of shame, offering restoration instead of condemnation.
Second, we should receive grace the way this woman did.

How often do we accept God’s forgiveness, only to return to the very things He set us free from?

Jesus didn’t just forgive her, He invited her to live as someone who was forgiven.
He came to break the bondage and power of sin, not just to wipe the slate clean.

So as we pray and fast in this season, may we:

• Extend grace where we once offered judgment.
• Receive forgiveness where we once lived in shame.
• And walk in the freedom Jesus has already given us.

Reflection

• Is there someone you’ve been tempted to view through the lens of condemnation instead of grace?
• Is there an area of your life where Jesus has forgiven you but you’re still living as if you’re not free?

Prayer
Jesus, thank You for grace that meets me where I am and truth that calls me forward.
Help me see others the way You see them.
Help me receive Your forgiveness fully and walk in the freedom You offer.
I don’t want to live in shame, I want to live changed.
Amen.