In the New Testament, there are two distinct occasions where Jesus instructed individuals to refrain from sinning, and these instances took place under different circumstances.
The first occurrence is when Jesus performed miraculous healing on a disabled person near the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1–15). Afterward, Jesus sought out the man and advised him, "Look, you have been healed. Stop sinning, or something worse may happen to you" (verse 14). It is evident that Jesus was aware of the cause behind the man's condition. Although the specific details of the man's physical ailment are not disclosed, the context suggests that it resulted from choices rooted in sin. Jesus cautioned the man that he had been granted a second opportunity and encouraged him to make wiser choices. If the man were to revert to his sinful behavior, he would squander the chance Jesus had given him to live a complete and forgiven life.
The second occurrence is found in the story of the woman who was caught in the act of adultery (John 8:3–11). When the woman's accusers presented her before Jesus, anticipating His judgment, He responded by stating that the one who was free from sin should cast the first stone. One by one, the condemning crowd departed. Jesus then told the woman, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and refrain from sinning" (verse 11). The woman had been caught in the act, she was guilty, and according to the Law of Moses (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22), she deserved to be stoned. However, the religious leaders who had brought her had no genuine concern for holiness; their intention was to trap Jesus into disregarding the importance of the Law (verse 6).
Jesus frequently reminded the religious leaders that His purpose was not to abolish the Law, but rather to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). As God Himself, He was the ultimate authority behind the Law (2 Timothy 3:16). While the Pharisees emphasized strict adherence to the literal interpretation of the Law, they failed to grasp its true essence, which is encapsulated in Galatians 5:14: "For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" When Jesus chose not to condemn the woman, He was not downplaying the significance of holiness. Instead, He was extending to her the same forgiveness that He offers to each one of us (Acts 3:19).
When Jesus uttered the words, "Go and sin no more," He was not implying that one should achieve sinless perfection. Instead, He was cautioning against returning to a lifestyle characterized by sinful choices. His statement combined both mercy and the demand for holiness. Jesus consistently embodied the perfect balance of "grace and truth" (John 1:14). When we receive His forgiveness, we are expected to no longer persist in the same rebellious path. Those who truly understand and experience God's love will naturally desire to obey Him (John 14:15).
Upon turning to Christ and receiving His forgiveness, a transformation occurs within our hearts (Luke 9:23; Acts 1:8). Forgiveness is not cheap, nor does it excuse the sins that initially separated us from God. It cost God everything to offer us the cleansing that declares us righteous in His sight (John 3:16; 15:13). Instead of continuing on the self-centered path that led us astray, the forgiven have the ability to walk in God's ways (Luke 14:27). Drawing closer to God means embracing righteousness, purity, and holy living (1 Peter 1:16; Romans 8:29). We cannot experience the profound power of forgiveness without undergoing a lasting change.
It is evident that the woman caught in adultery underwent a profound transformation and did not return to her previous unfaithful behavior after encountering Jesus. While she was not expected to be perfect, her encounter with Jesus forever changed her. She became aware of the depravity of her actions, and sin lost its former allure. Meeting Jesus causes sin to lose its fatal attraction because grace has a transformative effect.
In light of this, the idea of continuing in sin for the sake of receiving more grace is emphatically rejected (Romans 6:1–2). When we experience the new birth through the Holy Spirit (John 3:3), the power of sin that once held sway over us is broken (Romans 6:6). Previously, our lives revolved around pleasing ourselves, but after receiving forgiveness, our motivation shifts to pleasing God (Galatians 2:20).
It is the desire of every Christian to strive for a life without sin, recognizing that we may still stumble while in our mortal bodies (1 John 1:8). God's expectation for us is to pursue holiness, mirroring His own holiness (1 Peter 1:16). Although we may still sin, it is no longer a deliberate lifestyle choice (1 John 3:9–10). When we fail, we can approach God and seek His forgiveness (1 John 1:9; 1 Peter 4:1–2). As genuine children of God, we can expect His correction and discipline when necessary (Hebrews 12:6–11). His purpose is to shape us into the likeness of His Son (Romans 8:29).
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