How is your aim?
In the Biblical story of the woman caught
in adultery, the stone throwers only aim was to condemn the woman. Note that they left the male partner of the
woman alone.
In my years of living, this one thing is
sure. Stone throwers have one aim and
one aim only, to hurt, maim, and destroy.
They want someone punished and often they don’t really care to whom the
punishment falls. They want blood! If you get caught in the wake of the fallout,
too bad. If a stone bounces off the wall
and hits an innocent victim, well, that’s nothing more than collateral damage.
Balance that mental picture with God in
heaven. He is slow to anger, slow to
balance the books. His grace flows down
in abundance. He offers forgiveness time
and again.
As Philip Yancey writes: “God is looking for more ways to bring you to
His side than he is looking for ways to keep you away.”
You see, God has a good aim. His aim is love, peace, and forgiveness. He aims to show you His grace-filled
side. So, stone throwers, your game has
been cancelled. Go home. Polish your rocks for another day.
If I am to err, it will always be on the
side of grace. My heart beats with more
latitude, less judgment.
I see God offering that as well.
What did he say to the woman caught in adultery? “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.”
What did he say to the one thief on the
cross? “Today, you shall be with me in
paradise.”
There is a great verse in Isaiah 1:18
that caps our thought today. God himself
is speaking.
“Come now, let us reason together. Even if your sins are scarlet, they shall be
pure as snow; even if they are red like crimson, they shall appear as wool.”
I don’t hear any stones being tossed
here. I don’t hear any “you should have’s,
if only you would have” or “why didn’t you do this first”.
I hear love, compassion, GRACE!
God’s aim …
Restoration
Redemption
Reuniting
P Michael
Biggs
Offering Hope
Encouragement Inspiration
One Word at a Time
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