Our Sin & God's Holiness

Every time we sin, we are effectively brought before a holy God to answer for it. In fact, the Bible gives us several pictures of what this looks like in a heavenly capacity. First, In Zechariah 3:1-5, we see Joshua, the High Priest, standing before the Lord - with Satan to his right - accusing him (before God) of his sin. The Lord rebukes Satan and commands an angel to take away Joshua’s filthy garments (representing his sin) and replace them with clean robes (representing purity). This is, arguably, the best imagery the Bible provides concerning this. 
Second, we also know that the Bible says that Satan stands before the Lord, day and night, as the “Accuser of the brethren” according to Revelation 12:10. Jesus, as our Mediator, defends us righteously before God. 
And then there is this story from John’s Gospel, chapter 8:1-12, about the woman caught in the act of adultery. It’s her story that I would like to focus on in today’s newsletter. 
For context, John captures an account where Jesus is teaching in the Temple, and the religious leaders bring him a woman that was caught in the act of adultery. Obviously, this encounter was a set-up and there was no telling how long the scribes and Pharisees held this woman hostage before they used her as leverage to trap Jesus in a quandary. Nonetheless, she was guilty and was being brought before the Lord for judgment. Jesus, in keen understanding of the situation, diffused it and used it as an opportunity to show grace and mercy to this woman – a woman who, for all intents and purposes, should have been punished. 
But Jesus wanted to be merciful to her, and that’s the point. “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will show mercy upon whom I will show mercy,” God says in Exodus 33:19 (and repeated by Paul in Romans 9:15). Yes, sin is an affront to God. It is entirely unacceptable to Him. Yet, in His jurisprudence, He has the ability (and willingness) to grant mercy and grace where it is present. Jesus wanted her to live in a way that glorified Him, and mercy and grace were the only way that was possible. Hence, His words to her: “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you? Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” The first part of His words is mercy. The second part – grace. 
And this is where you and I come in. Every time we sin, we are like this woman being dragged before the Lord. We’re guilty and deserving of punishment. Satan is even there, condemning us of our guilt. The Lord, however, is rich in mercy and willing to be gracious. He rebukes the work of Satan, looks upon us with pity, and encourages us to do better in His grace. 
And before anyone accuses me of going light on sin here, I want to say that I most definitely am not. Sin is not to be scoffed at, nor is it to be tolerated in our lives. It should be fought, conquered, killed, and mortified. But here’s the thing: Jesus did all of that to sin when He died on the cross. Sin (as Paul would say it) no longer has reign over our mortal bodies; that “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives within me”. And Satan no longer has any jurisdiction; so, let them both be silent before the Lord. They are defeated foes so let them remain that way. 
I hope you understand, though, what was required for you to have such a standing before the Lord. I pray you realize what it cost the Lord to apply His grace and mercy to your life. And I hope that you will live in such victory and status. Your life is one of victory in the Son of God, not a means to sin. Something to think about today!

Blessings,
Bro. Ben