If we talk about pornography, many of us have spent hours searching the internet, browsing through explicit pictures and videos. Often, we feel alone at home, consumed by lust, tempted to engage in online activities that could lead to serious consequences.
Imagine while intoxicated by the influence of these images, there’s suddenly a knock at the door. It’s the police. They take you to the station, revealing that they have been monitoring your online activity for some time. The evidence is overwhelming, and now you face a life sentence in prison.
The case becomes public. People look at you with disgust and hatred. Finally, you stand before the judge. The courtroom is filled with people who demand justice. The prosecutor lays out the case against you. The judge surveys the room, seeing the anger in their eyes, the overwhelming pressure to deliver a verdict.
Then, something unexpected happens.
“As they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, ‘Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7 ESV).
Does that sound familiar? This is the same courtroom where the Jews brought the woman caught in adultery, dragging her across the city to Jesus so He could judge her according to the Law of Moses. But one by one, the accusers left. Now, in your courtroom, the people disappear too. It’s just you and the Judge. With a heart full of love, He speaks:
“Jesus stood up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:10-11 ESV).
Before we move forward, we must recognize that judgment exists to uphold the fairness of God’s love. But Earth is not the final courtroom of judgment, at least not from a heavenly perspective. On Earth, human laws may hold us accountable, and we must face the consequences of our actions. But that is not what we should fear the most.
“But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!” (Luke 12:5 ESV).
Jesus did not come to judge but to save.
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17 ESV).
“If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world” (John 12:47 ESV)
The story of the “sinful woman” in Luke 7:36-50 further illustrates this. A woman with a reputation for sin comes to Jesus while He is at the house of a Pharisee named Simon. Without speaking, she weeps at His feet, washing them with her tears and anointing them with oil. Jesus, knowing her many sins, turns to Simon and says:
“Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little” (Luke 7:47 ESV).
Forgive, and You Will Be Forgiven
My friend, remember when we said Jesus is looking for any reason to save you? He does not come to judge but to offer grace. And He takes it a step further. Jesus, the ultimate Judge, desires love to be greater than judgment.
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14 ESV).
This truth is so important that Jesus included it in the Lord’s Prayer:
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12 ESV).
It’s as if Jesus is saying: If a man shows love and forgives another for the harm they have caused, then I—who am the ultimate love—will also forgive him of his sins.
Here is a hint: if you want to win God’s heart despite your struggles, if you want to secure eternity, have compassion for others. Do not condemn anyone. Forgive. If you can do this, I have faith in Jesus that He will forgive you for all your sins, no matter how much you struggle.
As long as you keep trying and do not stubbornly ignore His voice, even if you fall short, He will not judge or condemn you. And these are His words—no conditions added.
“Judge not, and you will not be judged;
condemn not, and you will not be condemned;
forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37ESV).
Sodom and Gomorrah
What cities were more wicked than Sodom and Gomorrah, where God, the ultimate Judge, was about to execute His judgment? In Genesis 18:17, the Lord asks,
“Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” (ESV).
Does God really need counsel? Yet, He allows Abraham to intercede for Sodom. Of course, Abraham had heard about the wickedness of the people in those cities. When God told him His intention, Abraham could have simply asked for the lives of his nephew Lot and his family alone. However, Abraham pleaded for the lives of all the people in both cities. God was willing to forgive because Abraham forgave, but they couldn’t find ten righteous persons.
We are familiar with the saying, “What would Jesus do?” But imagine if Jesus were to ask, “What would Abraham do?” If Abraham, with his forgiving and big heart, was willing to intercede, surely God’s heart is even bigger than Abraham’s.
Jesus, driven by His love, is eager to forgive. He emphasizes this in the New Testament, making it the first subject He discusses with His disciples after His resurrection.
Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’ And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld. (John 20:21-23 ESV)
He wants to assure them that our mission is to forgive sins, not judge people. There is a time and place for judgment, but that time is not on Earth. Our current mission is to offer forgiveness to those who seek it.
Hope for Those Who Struggle
But what about those who struggle in their battles? Is there any hope for them? Jesus, the ultimate embodiment of love, did not forget about these individuals.
He is asking for a heart that won’t resist or refuse Him. He seeks such hearts, even if the body is sick. Jesus will send words like the ones you’re reading now, or maybe some encouraging situations, or a spouse who wants to help. These situations, words, and any form of help you receive will become your companions in your struggle.
They will carry you to Jesus, just like the people who carried the paralytic man to Him despite the crowd. Jesus sees a spark of light in you when you don’t resist or refuse the help He sends. Because of this, He will forgive your sins.
“And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5 ESV).
Jesus will forgive sins for those who struggle, as long as they acknowledge their weaknesses and seek help. If those who assist them do so with faith in God, He is ready to uplift the sick person and, most importantly, forgive them for their sins. These are His teachings.
Invitation
Lastly, it is crucial to mention the following: It is evident how God’s heart longs for forgiveness toward all of humanity and how He is willing to forgive all of your sins. He extends His invitation to everyone:
“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” (Isaiah 1:18 ESV).
He has made the path to forgiveness incredibly simple and accessible for everyone, and His famous words continue to resonate.
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15).
Judgment
When our time on this earth concludes and we are all gathered before Him, the one who showers us with love and provides us with the words of the Bible as a testament, we cannot blame Him for anything. It is at this very moment that we will grasp the deep truth expressed in Psalm 51:4:
“that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.”(ESV)
At the time of judgment, we will stand before Him, and we can’t blame Him for judging us if we have insisted on ignoring His call and continue down a dark path of sin and lust.
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32 ESV).
Have courage, for it will bring joy to your Father to give you the kingdom. Let hope light the fire within you and motivate you to win this battle.
Start with five minutes of prayer.
WinThisBattle!
