When I was younger, there was a season I could have easily been labeled “promiscuous”. At that time, I would not call myself the most “pure”. Even though I met Jesus at 16, it took time for my lifestyle to align with my decision to live for Him. However, the alignment came quickly, little by little. While I was on the floor, lying prostrate before Him one night, with praise and worship arising from mess and foolishness, as I wept with repentance, I heard the commission loud and clear. I considered this undeserved deliverance; mercy was trying to align me with a place I didn’t feel qualified for. I knew based on my imperfect past, it would seem illogical for Him to call me to preach, yet He did, and I was only 18 years old at the time.
“When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, ‘Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you’?”
In the kingdom of God, redemption is redefinition.
At this moment, I imagine three groups: the accusers, the accused, and the judge. The Jewish leaders have thoroughly investigated; they’ve ear-hustled on enough private conversations and followed people to catch someone in the act. They’ve caught a woman committing adultery and now want to accuse Jesus of breaking the law by how He responded. Jesus, acting as the judge, responded in a way that surprised everyone, exposing the sins of all present and effectively clearing the room. Only Jesus and the woman remain, and she responds simply, “No one, Lord.”
This becomes Jesus’ defining moment in the scene. At this point, He’s going to prove that He’s not excusing her behavior; He wanted to rewrite her future instantly. Now, this lady will get the opportunity to have a fresh start, as a new creation in Christ. This passive; her condemnation is gone, and she’s receiving transformation to walk in the newness of life. This is her part; she’ll have to put off the old self, realizing the kingdom lifestyle is not merely all about forgiveness, but also the recreation of the sinner being empowered to live in righteousness. When Jesus tells her to “Go, and sin no more”, He’s ultimately saying, our former status doesn’t define our future assignment.
Culture labels people by their lowest moments—their mistakes, poor decisions, criminal records, or viral scandals—that become community gossip and keep them under judgment indefinitely. The opposite perspective is to view these actions not as permanent marks but as catalysts for transformation. In Christ, labels shift, and identity can change when purpose is given. We should never assume that His kindness, forbearance, and patience are not meant to lead us to a turning point. Whenever sin increases, we observe “There’s grace for that” to lead us to repentance. To illustrate this, I could share my own story, but instead, I’ll refer to Paul the apostle. Even with blood on his hands, God redirected his life. God’s plan for his life was to change him forever, demonstrating how God’s perfect patience can lead to a transformed life.
This should call for a heart check: Are there any areas in our lives that, if we observed carefully, we’d identify as “old man still living”? We still wear labels God removed years ago sometimes, unaware that, in Christ, we should be changing daily for the good. People who knew us before we were saved should not be able to come to us with the same old expectations, and we should no longer feel comfortable living in a way that is displeasing to our new character. What mission has He prepared for you, not despite your past, but because of it? When Jesus said to that woman, “Go and sin no more”, he was, in effect, changing the course and direction of her life. She had only one thing to do at that point in response to what He’d done for her, and I’d like to encourage us to do the same: “Step into who He says you are, not who sin once shaped you to be.“
Time of Reflection:
** My former status does not determine my calling.
** In Christ I am a new creation, commissioned for God’s work.
Heart-Probe Question:
**What shame or stereotype do I still believe about myself, and how might God be calling me to act in spite of it?
References:
John 8:1-10
Rom 2:14
2Tim 1:15-16
Rom 6:4
2 Cor 5:17
This is Question 51 (second article) from The Thomas Nelson Chronological Bible order.
Closing prayer:
Father, thank You that You redefine all of us. We don’t ever have to leave the same way we came. With You change is always possible, no matter what we’ve done. Thank You for not condemning us, instead redirecting us. As we step into our new assignments You’ve prepared for us, remind us continually when we feel unworthy or disqualified that You have chosen, called, and qualified us to live in our new creation lifestyle. In Jesus name, Amen
