I was reading John 8:1-11 this morning about Jesus forgiving the adulterous woman. This woman was caught in the act of adultery and the scribes and pharisees were preparing to stone her. They asked Jesus what they should do. He said to them "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Slowly, each person began to walk away. When she was standing alone, Jesus asked her "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?" She answered, "no one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more."

That story gives me so much encouragement!!! Romans 8:1 says, Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. No Condemnation! I get excited just saying it! We all have sinned. We all fall short. But for those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, there is no condemnation.

Notice though, that Jesus did not stop at "I do not condemn you, either." He also told her to "sin no more." Jesus knows that we will never be perfect but He expects us to always try to be more like Him. We must turn away from those things in our lives that tempt us. Elizabeth George once told me "Sacrifice your favorite sin, there's so much more at stake."