Life has taught me that there is no “one size fits all” journey towards healing and restoration.  In fact, well within our human nature—and man-made religion—is the proclivity towards developing formulas for fixing all of those things that ail us, both inside and out (just check out all of the diet/weight loss/exercise programs available!).  For those of us who have seriously struggled at times, when someone tells us that all we need to do is clean house and then we won’t be depressed or glibly makes a “religious” statement in the midst of a personal crisis, we are often left with a sense of inadequacy, isolation, and guilt.

Sadly, the broken parts in our lives are not only affected by personal sin, but also the sins of others—such as twisted religions, broken relationships, or abuse.  My journey included in-patient treatment, antidepressants, counseling, and several years of rebellion while not believing in the sovereignty, capability, and love of God.  However, God’s amazing grace and goodness penetrated the darkness in my soul and He delivered me from the destructiveness of my fallen humanity, and He continues to deliver me from the deception and despair of human/demonic religion.

An acquaintance posted an article recently quoting a politician that implied (or said, I’m not sure) that single moms should be publicly shamed.  I am not at all hoping to make political statements in this blog and I do not know much about the politician, the statement, or the circumstances of the quote; however, I was immediately reminded of the instance in the life of Jesus when some Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in the act of adultery; they asked Him what they should do with her—hoping to trap Jesus while bringing public shame and humiliation on the woman.

Jesus’ response was to say, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first” (John 8:7).

Sometimes people do not see the broken spots in their own lives and think that they are without sin, or their sin is not as bad as others’—Jesus gave an example of this in the parable of a Pharisee who prayed, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector…” (Luke 18:11).

However, in the story of the woman caught in adultery—after some time in the presence of Jesus, the accusers slipped out one by one, beginning oldest until the very last one left (sometimes when we are younger it is difficult to recognize our own sinfulness), as the Holy Spirit and their consciences convicted them.

Although the Pharisees were a Jewish sect known for strict adherence to the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic law (as well as their own traditions), pharisaical attitudes often pop up in the thoughts of Christians nowadays—you can recognize them by their rather sanctimonious, self-righteous, or judgmental tones.

Jesus identifies the problem as an issue of the heart when He admonished, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.  Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matthew 23:27, 28).

What makes it so difficult for us to grasp our own hypocrisy is the focus on the faults and failures of others while over-looking our own impatience, our own covetousness or greed, our own secret lust or immorality, our own dishonesty or corner-cutting with integrity, our own critical attitudes or judgmental words.  The Holy Spirit is eager to show us the truth about ourselves though, if we are willing to listen—and making ourselves at home in God’s Word exposes us to the truth that we are either the Pharisees, eager to pick up stones or THAT woman on the ground at Jesus’ feet.  Every one of us needs His forgiveness and cleansing but not everyone recognizes his or her need.

Now, perhaps more than ever, it is essential to see ourselves in the dust at Jesus’ feet, caught in the act by the Holy Spirit—yet touched by the grace and forgiveness of our Savior.  However, His forgiveness does not give us the right to pick up stones to hurl at others.  And it is only after the woman received His forgiveness that Jesus instructed her, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more” (John 8:11); and He disclosed how to do that as He went on to tell all who were listening, “I am the light of the world.  He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (v. 12)—this speaks of lifestyle change!

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness….My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin.  And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 1:8-9, 2:1-2).

Let us, as His church, reflect the heart of the Savior to our troubled world and heed His counsel to, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28, 29).