Here is a question I might use to start a Sabbath School class discussion:

How far can a Christian go with tender love without being naive?

In Sunday's lesson Jesus not only forgives the woman caught in adultery but counsels her to go and sin no more. That sounds a bit legalistic on the surface but is it really? Sin is what got her into the bind in the first place. True compassion not only helps people out of the bind they are in but help them to prevent getting into the bind again. It is kind of like the old adage that says, "Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and feed him for life." Jesus forgiving the woman was like giving a man a fish. Telling her to sin no more was like teaching her how to fish.

I think that it's important to note that Jesus told her to "Go, and sin no more." He did not tell her to; Go, and commit prostitution no more.

True, but no person on this earth has ever "not sinned", so does that mean that Jesus asked her to do the impossible? No. That is why I believe that Jesus was referring to that particular sin -- which, when overcome,would lead her into a closer relationship with Jesus. Each particular sin overcome by the power of Christ is a step closer to heaven.

Beryl

Beryl said:

Beryl, what particular sin is that? Are you referring to prostitution? If so, where in the Bible is prostitution defined as a sin?

Thank-you

Moving on to Monday...

What was Martha doing wrong? What was Mary doing right? How often are we distracted by the world and its duties? I sometimes see members of the church so busy in the duties of the church, of the organization, that they are not living the joy of the Lord. I have to say I have been guilty of this same thing myself. Does the church contribute to this by over-burdening those willing to serve?