WHERE ARE THOSE THINE ACCUSERS?

WHERE ARE THOSE THINE ACCUSERS?

Text: John 8: 1-11

The story of the woman who was caught in adultery ‘in the very act’ as recorded in the gospel of John Chapter 8: 1 – 11 is my focus. Here, Jesus (most probably) went to the Mount olive to pray in the night, when he came back in the morning to the temple, people came to him and he taught them.

The Scribes and Pharisees, highly religious people brought this woman to him with the accusation that she was caught in the adultery. Their intention was also to tempt Jesus. If He had said ‘stone her’, they would have killed the woman as they wanted and would have condemned Jesus by saying that He was a saviour and yet commanded one to be killed and if he had said ‘let her go’, they probably would have said ‘he condoned sin’. Jesus first ignored them.

Then when they asked Him again Jesus appealed to their conscience “He that is without sin amongst you, let him first cast a stone at her”. Because they were all convicted by their conscience they left the woman alone and Jesus asked “Woman where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned there?” She said “No man Lord,” and Jesus said unto her “Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more.”

Let us reflect on the plight of this woman. There she was, so sad to have been found out. 1 Tim 5:24 “Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after”. It is better for us to have our sins exposed now so we can have forgiveness and to prosper “he that covereth his sins shall not prosper.” She appeared to be the only sinner among them. She was their object of castigation, derision and shame. She was guilt-ridden and dare not lift up her face. She remembered that she was actually condemned by the law.

Death stares her in the face, she was reminded that others who were caught like her had been killed. There was neither hope of eternal life nor rest for her. Her plight was terrible.

People in this condition need more than pity, religion or sympathy. It is in our society that we bruised ‘a weak reed’. Here is someone in the gall of death, guilt stricken and the people around her wanted her dead. Cruel fate, cruel people.

What actually saved her (you already know who saved her) I believed that she was saved by her confession of Jesus as Lord. Her  statement to the Lord  ““No man Lord...” Rom 8:1. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. KJV

How many accusations are the Lord ignoring today! Our adversary has never stops accusing us. He accuses us of prayerlessness, lack of zeal for evangelism, our backbiting, our doubts, our unfaithfulness, our faithlessness etc. It is He who justifies us! Oh! What a comfort to those who owns Him as Lord. Acknowledging Him as Lord brought her forgiveness, no commendation and neither condemnation but justification. Who are to condemn?

God called Abraham father of faith not father of flesh even though he had Ishmael. The scripture says that he staggered not at the promise of God.

He called Gideon might man of valour despite the cowardice attitude he displayed at the threshing floor. He called Lot, the righteous preacher despite his incestuous relationship. He called Moses, the meekest man on earth despite such display of anger when he smote the rock. He removed the title of harlot from that of Rahab. David was a man after His own heart despite those imperfections (he ordered the Census which made God angry with His people, he committed adultery with Bathsheba, he killed Uriah). Ahab, the worst King in Israel obtained mercy. What a mighty and merciful God we serve!

Your past is past, so walk past your past or should I say move away from your past, do not be tied to your past, the sin that you have confessed and the Lord has forgiven should not ground you. Yes, satan would want to accuse you, but Jesus said; where are thine your accusers? And if He says Neither do I condemn thee. You should rejoice.

Pastor E. A. Adeboye shared a story of his past. He was a Pastor in Ilorin and among people that came for prayer was this woman, a former girl friend of the Pastor. When she saw him, she asked; who is the Pastor? You?  She judged him by his past.

If you have owned Him as you Lord. (Isa 54:17... every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD) You have an heritage to condemn every tongue that rise against you. Your righteousness of Him. So where are thine accusers? It is time to rise and condemn every tongue that rise against you! You are blessed and remain blessed.