Don’t throw that stone!

Posted on September 18, 2020 by Catey Stover in Freedom Fighters

You know this story all too well.

 

John 8: 1-11 “…but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’11 ‘No one, sir,’ she said. ‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.’”

 

I hate our political climate. I stand amazed that people can spew direct lies, half-truths, innuendos, repulsive rhetoric and disgusting “jokes” about the opposition. I marvel at how their bitterness can be exposed with direct quotes and video clips and yet they go on repeating the same rubbish. Just when you think the rhetoric has reached its lowest and dirtiest, one of them comes up with an updated model of a steam shovel tongue. What is more astounding than that is the delight with which the venom is received by the hoodwinked!

 

 

No leader is perfect. No political party is pure. In our elections, none of them were candidates for spiritual leaders. Some of us would strongly desire that scriptural views were more honored. All of us wish that our leaders had integrity.

 

But you had better not throw that stone if you wish to be judged on the same basis on which you are judging. “Leave your life of sin.” (v. 11)

 

“But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.” (II Peter 2:10)

 

“Show respect for everyone. Love Christians everywhere. Fear God and honor the government.” (I Peter 2:17)

 

“Obey the government, for God is the one who has put it there. There is no government anywhere that God has not placed in power.  So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow.  Obey the laws, then, for two reasons: first, to keep from being punished, and second, just because you know you should.” (Romans 13: 1,2,5) (TLB)

 

I have to admit that I do not understand all of that. We have used Acts 5 (especially verse 29) when Peter was brought to the council and the Chief priest because they were teaching in the name of Jesus when being forbidden to do so, to say “we ought to obey God rather than man.” The problem Romans 13 presents to us is a godless government. Should we decide to disobey, we do need to fear the government.

 

Based on what is happening around us today and your point of view, we do need to fear the government either at the moment or what is being offered as an alternative to what we have.

 

And by the time of the elections, all of our minds will need enemas! In French, ordures. Just like it looks, odors. Garbage.

 

[The flow isn’t totally coherent. I think your thought process is that the government stinks, but we still have to respect it. Also, we should be careful about criticizing others (in government) because we need to be aware of the plank, etc. However, the governing thought of your piece isn’t shining through. Maybe just a line here or there to weave the main thought and then a closer? What are we supposed to think about as we walk away? What should convict us?]

 

Written By Neil Fichthorn: Rev. Neil Fichthorn is a seasoned conference and camping servant having served at Gull Lake Bible Conference, Sandy Cove Ministries as President, and an interim Executive Director at Pinebrook Bible Conference. He also served in church music for decades as a choir director and arranger. He has been Bill Welte’s mentor and friend for over 45 years.


Think About This: “Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” – Billy Graham

The Daily Bible Reading: Nahum 2-3, Habakkuk 1-2| You can download our 2020 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” -1 Peter 4:7-8

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.

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