DCLM Higher Everyday 20 April 2023 — Guilty accusers and accused
DCLM Higher Everyday 20 April 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Guilty accusers and accused
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TOPIC: GUILTY ACCUSERS AND ACCUSED
BIBLE TEXT: JOHN 8:1-11
1Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
MEMORY VERSE: “And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst” (JOHN 8:9).
MESSAGE:
A mathematics lecturer in Vanderbilt University, Professor Madison Surratt told his students, “Today I am giving two examinations, one in mathematics and the other in honesty. I hope you pass them both but if you must fail one, fail mathematics.” If you fail a subject, the teacher will correct you to do better. But if you cheat to pass you wreck your testimony and go about with a condemning conscience.
The people in our text caught a woman in adultery. They wanted to execute her. Their consciences were awakened by the Lord’s reply to their promptings, “He that is without sin among you let him first cast a stone at her.” Remembering their hypocrisy and secret sins, they left the woman. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ who shed his blood on the cross for us. Jesus does not want anyone to continue in sin but wants people to know that there is room for repentance and forgiveness for every penitent sinner. Are you also condemned by your conscience? Repent now, then, “go and sin no more.”
QUOTE: We are saved by grace
PRAYER: Search me oh God and lead me aright in Jesus’ name.
CHALLENGE: Correct yourself before you correct others.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
