Cast the first stone!

What exactly does come to mind when we hear the words; “cast the first stone”, for some people it comes in a literal sense of actually throwing the stone. And for us being spiritual it can only mean of dehumanizing, judging, and demoralizing one another. For example: this can be seen in politics, when candidates tend to tear each other down with blatant lies. In fact, and on the other hand, with the truth being made known, it is a very strong spiritual message that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ spoke of to the Jews and their religious leaders for obvious reasons. This message appears to have an output of four messages in one, in our spiritual sense, and the one that is most apparent is that everyone of those persons were found with sin by their own guilty conscience, and another is a judgment call; where we are faced with the concept of, who are we to judge one another, and another is the act of repentance, and the last one would be forgiveness. Lets read about an incident where this actually occurred during the ministry of Jesus Christ(Jo.8:3-11). For a small sentences and very few words that is read in vs.7, shows a very profound and very powerful message for them then, and as it is for us now.

Lets begin with the first interpretation of this passage, and it speaks of sin. Well, we all know what is sin, and what it does to us; just how it separates us from our Father. Sin is what defiles the human race; we are all guilty of sin: here is a definition of sin written by the Apostle John as it is described by God (1Jo.3:4)Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (1Jo.5:17)All unrighteousness is sin. So, according to the Law which describes what an actual sin is, is there for our learning and to know what a sin is and does! This is also explained by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans(Ro.7:7-11). As the prophet Samuel spoke in (1Ki.8:46)For there is no man that sins not. The Apostle Paul wrote, (Ro.3:23)For all have sinned, and come [fall] short of the glory of God. There is no way that we as humans can say that we are not sinners; because we contradict the very word of God and deceive ourselves; (1Jo.1:8)If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

To give us a better understanding to what are the exact confines of a sin, and where it tends to come from; we can read what Jesus Christ spoke on this point: of what defiles man, (Ma.15:19)For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication, thefts, false witness, blasphemies [railings]. This gives a clear inclination that sin is within us once we acknowledge what sin is. To top it all, the most despicable ordeal of it all is that it is pleasing to the natural man; the carnal man those who still walk in darkness (Je.14:10)Thus said the Lord unto this people, thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the Lord does not except them. We need to realize that we can not hide anything from God; everything is open to the eyes of God (Ps.90:8;94:11)Thou has set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. We need to see just how sin is opposed to God, as this was explained by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans, (Ro.8:7)Because the carnal mind [mind of the flesh] is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be. We need to be rational to what sin does to us if we do not repent, and this is explained by Moses, Ezekiel, and the Apostle Paul, (Ge.2:17)But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shall not eat of it: for in the day thou eats thereof thou shall surely die. (Ro.5:12) Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. (Eze.18:4) The soul that sins, it shall die. Last but not least we have the unforgivable sin that Jesus spoke to his Apostles in the time of his ministry (Ma12:31)All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost [Spirit] shall not be forgiven unto men. Its quite apparent the stone of sin is something that everyone has with in themselves; to do as they wish in their blinded heart.

The next in line is the idea of just how the people of the world often times offend one another being very judgmental on the basis, or the concept “I am better than the next person!” Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ imploded the wrongs of judging one another with one very strong and small sentence (Ma.7:1)Judge not, that ye be not judged. Then he explains the concept of why judge one another with great emphasis (Ma.7:2-5). To simplify the idea of what he is speaking about; he reproves the Jewish people and their religious leaders because the miracle he did on a the Sabbath day (Jo.7:24)Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. Basically, He was speaking on the idea that why judge me because of what I did on a certain day {Sabbath day}, but rather judge on the righteous concept of the action at hand. Healing the man from his ailments and all his sins. As we have become stewards and ministers of God word; we of all people must not be found judging anything or anyone at all, and be not over concerned that others do judge us: this is explained by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians (1Co.4:3-5). There is only one explanation as to why we should not be judging one another? the simple answer to this question is that we are all the same in the eyes of God unrighteous sinners. This is expressed by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the people that sin, though they condemn it in others, can not excuse themselves (Ro2:1-3)Therefore thou are inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou are that judges: for wherein thou judges another, thou condemns thyself; for thou that judges do the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinks thou this, O man, that judges them which do such things, and do the same , that thou shall escape the judgment of God? One thing for certain is that we shall go before the judgment seat of Christ (2Co5:10); with this being known the stone of sin has gotten bigger and heavier with the crust of hypocrisy around its sphere.

The stone that we were once going to cast has eventually become so big and heavy we still have yet to go through the rest of the interpretations of the passage of Jesus Christ “cast the first stone”! Before I can go on any further I will say that the stone of sin can be very burdensome to most people to the point where they feel that they just can go on. In all reality we have our conscience that we are dealing with, and it tends to be quite evident that with most people it literally drives them to do things that they later regret. Also, I will say this; that if we are not careful we may loose everything that God has done in our favor. I know that it tends to get hard, but its for a specific reason; and I say that the reason can only be to see where we stand faithfully. Although, the burden can be an overwhelming ordeal, it still can be a very good thing; I truly believe that we are being moved by God’s Holy Spirit by and though our conscience to help us rationalize and make sound decisions that will enable us to stay firm, strong, unmovable from the unity of God’s Holy realm. Apart from all this we have what we may see as the only opportunity of salvation, and to remain saved by the glory and grace of God. So long as we do what we are required to do and never going back to the rudiments that once kept us away from God. Again, I will not hesitate to remind us just easy it is for anyone to fall, desecrate the temple of God.

Now, lets take a very good look at what is next in the passage that we have been studying in this lesson. This would be the act of forgiveness; our Father has given us all the opportunity to be forgiven of any and all sins. This can only be done through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; this was expressed by Jesus Christ to Saul, before he became Paul, when Jesus appeared to him on his way to Damascus. Now, as an Apostle, he is in his defense against the Jewish leaders and before Agrippa of what exactly Jesus Christ told him; in relation to his conversion and commission of the gentile people, (Acts26:18)To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is me.

The act of forgiveness come to us form God through Jesus Christ as we know it, but to really comprehend the forgiveness of God lets take a better look at some of the literature that is found in the old testament, by God’s holy men that were moved by God’s Holy Spirit. One thing that we need to realize is that everything we do to gain forgiveness is done through prayer and only through prayer. We have many examples in the old testament and one of them comes through David the Psalmist, (Ps.25:18)Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. (Ps.86:5)For thou, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call unto thee. We also as an example when Pharaoh pleading with Moses, for sinning against God and them (Ex.10:17)Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and entreat the Lord your God, that he may take away from me this death only. We also have a potent message that the Prophet Micah wrote in reference to the forgiveness of God, (Mi.7:18,19)Who is a God like unto thee, that pardons iniquity, and passes by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retains not His anger forever, because He delight in mercy. He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

As a prime example for us in these time, as the new testament pertains more to us, we have what our Lord Jesus Christ said as an example in his prayer that he was teaching the multitudes (Ma.6:12,14-15)And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors. For If ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. As well as He forgave the adulteresses her sins he also had the authority to forgive everyone else their sins (Ma.9:6)but that e may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, arise, take up thy bed, and go unto your house. (Ma.18:21-22)Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I shall forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus said unto him, I say not unto thee, until seven times: but until seventy time seven. (Mk.11:25)And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive your trespasses. (Lk.6:37)Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. Last but not least of all passage that consist of forgiveness we have the greatest example known to man, and it should be know as the worlds greatest example, is what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said in the time of his agony and anguish, being crucified, (Lk.23:34)Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.

After all that we have gone through the last interpretation of the passage that we have been studying is repentance. To repent we have open up to God, even though, God already knows all of our secrets and sins. It still considered a requirement a commandment if you will, that we all have to abide to. It’s a necessity that has to occur in order for the process to go through; its part of the conversion that everybody goes through (Lk13:3)I tell you, nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Acts3:19)Repent ye therefore, and be converted [turn again], that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. As far as time being on our side its not, so, the time for repentance is now (2Co.6:2)Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. As it is Christ call to sinners (Lk.5:32)I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. To realize what a true repentance involves:

1)Acknowledgement of the enormity of sin (Ps.51:4)Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight.

2)Godly sorrow for sin (2Co.7:9)Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner.

3)Forsaking sin (Is.55:7)Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Eze.18:31)Cast away from all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die. (Ma.3:8)bring forth therefore fruits meet for [worthy of] repentance.

Its quite amazing just how much we can get from such a small, but a strong passage, crucial information that is prudent for everyone to grasp on to for our very own salvation. One other thing that I do wish to say is that this lesson can be applied to the ones who show interest as well as to those who have already been a new born for quite some time. I t makes no difference who you are we are all under to scrutiny of God’s Holy presences. Let honor our Father by doing His will and His will only. As we need it for survival.

The last topic that I wish to mention; which is wonderful and is a part of our hope that we have in God, is His Gracious Assurance. His pardon is for all; as well already have it , but lets nor be ignorant of what lies in this world, His gracious assurance is this, (Is.1:18)Come now, and let us reason together, said the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be wool. Among other passages we can read (Eze.18:21), (Acts 2:38), (1Jo.1:9). Is it time that we all drop that sin of stone that tend to wear us down at time more than often. I say if we are going to cast that stone lets cast it some where we will not have to carry it any longer. Let by gone be by gone, and overlook everything in this world, pray for forgiveness, and repent of any and all wrongs.