+DEV+ Acceptance

Date: May 24, 2009 9:56 PM

Topic: +DEV+     Acceptance

Acceptance

Scripture Focus: John 8:1-11

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).

Teenagers are characterized by their struggles for acceptance. Some will do almost anything to be part of a group. Many of us never outgrow this need for acceptance. We crave friends who will love us as we are, not as they wish we were. We’re fortunate to develop a relationship with even one such person.

Jesus was such a man. One morning when He was teaching people, some religious leaders brought to Him a woman they probably had set up in an adulterous situation in order to trap Jesus.

To these leaders, she was an object to be used. To Jesus, she was a person to be respected as someone made in God’s image. He ignored the men as they tried to trap Jesus into agreeing with them that she should be stoned. After He told them the one without sin should cast the first stone, they slunk away. When the last man had gone, Jesus spoke to the woman. He didn’t condemn her as a person, but He did tell her to stop sinning. Though He did not like her sin, He loved and accepted her.

Are you following His example?

Insight: Have you been condemning someone instead of accepting him, though you can’t agree with him.