Page |1

Generous Grace Series

“The Gift of No Condemnation”
John 8

The rashness of religion to condemn:

1) Religion despises the message of grace (8:2-3)

The scheme was planned by the Pharisees to embarrass Jesus because Jesus gained a reputation
for preaching a message of God’s grace, forgiveness, and love towards sinners----a stark contrast
from the harsh, legalistic, and judgmental picture of God that was painted by the Pharisees.

The Pharisees accused Jesus of being a sinner because he associated and ate with sinners
(Matthew 11:19, Luke 15:2, Luke 19:7, Luke 7:39-50). (If Jesus said, no don’t stone her, the he
would have broken the Law of Moses and he would be stoned. If he said, yes stone her, he
would have lost his following).

2) Religion becomes obsessed with catching people in their sins, focusing on sin, and teaching
and preaching about sin (8:4).
While Jesus is focused on teaching the people, the Pharisees are focused on finding someone in
sin. While the Pharisees were obsessed with finding people caught in sin, Jesus was obsessed
with drawing people unto himself (v2….all the people came unto him. The answer to every
problem is to see Jesus in His Grace).

3) Religion focuses on man’s behavior, promotes deep introspection, and leaves man guilty
before God (8:7).
Jesus used the law to shine the spotlight of accusation on the Pharisees (v7-9). (Galatians
2:4…..spy out our liberty that we have in Christ Jesus)

8:9------Jesus flushed religion out of the situation. Jesus, through the wisdom of God, cleansed the
condemnation and expelled the accusations. The result?

And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
 Page |2

This is what happens when Grace comes. It’s just you and Jesus. (Remember on the Mt. Transfiguration,
“they saw no man but Jesus.” )

When Grace comes, all you see is Jesus. No more talk of sin. No more accusers. No more debates. No
more juries. No more discussions. No more self-introspection. Grace comes------you see Jesus!

It is also very intriguing that the woman never defends herself. She never tries to proclaim her
innocence. She simply holds her peace, and Jesus defends her. Be still and know that I am God!
Remember, self-righteousness impedes the grace of God. Sin does not stop the grace of God.

Difference between Old Covenant and New Covenant Reactions to the Presence of God

Isaiah 6:3-5 (KJV)

3
And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is
full of his glory.
4
And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with
smoke.
5
Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the
midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

John 8:10-11 (KJV)

10
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman,
where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no
more.

Under the Old Covenant, the presence of God prompted a prophet of God to see his sin and cower in
regret and guilt.

Under the New Covenant, the presence of God gave an adulterous woman the gift of no condemnation
and unconditional acceptance as she saw no one but Jesus!

Interlinear Bible John 8:10----“And Jesus having lifted up himself, no one having seen him but the
woman.” In other words, the woman saw Jesus in a way that the Pharisees did not see him. She saw
 Page |3

Jesus in His Grace. She had an encounter with Grace! The Pharisees did not see Jesus in His Grace
towards them because they were focused on the woman’s sins and they were focused on their own sins.
They couldn’t see Jesus through the Law!

The Law is on tablets of stone.

Exodus 24:12 (KJV)

12
And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give
thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach
them.

II Corinthians 3:3-18

Revelation: You cannot see Jesus through tablets of stone. Sunlight does not shine through tablets of
stone. But grace is transparent. Grace is translucent. Grace lets the Son-light in!

Look at the immediate statement following this encounter:

John 8:12 (KJV)

12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me
shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Grace lets the son-light into the world! Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” I am the light to a sin-
filled, twisted, lost world! But grace is what lets the light in. The law doesn’t let the light in!

There is no revelation needed to understand the law.

Revelation is needed to understand grace!

Religion says, no more condemnation after you stop sinning. Christ says, I don’t condemn you,
go and sin no more!

The victory over sin is in receiving the gift of no condemnation

The victory over bad habits is in receiving the gift of no condemnation

The victory over guilt is in receiving the gift of no condemnation

Victory in life comes from receiving the gift of no condemnation!

Romans 7:18-Romans 8:1

Romans 6:13-14
Page |4