Compassion for Sexual Brokenness
One of the most pressing questions Christians have faced in the past few decades is how to engage with people who have sexual brokenness. We have recently planted a church in a place where alternative lifestyles are prevalent. Jesus shows us the way forward. He doesn’t pile on condemnation or just sweep sexual brokenness under the rug, but rather shows wild compassion, but also leads us into profound holiness. We soon find out that we all have our own forms of sexual brokenness.
Picture the scene in John 8: a bustling temple, filled with people eager to hear the teachings of a revolutionary rabbi. Suddenly, the atmosphere is shattered as religious leaders burst in, dragging a woman caught in the act of adultery. They throw her before Jesus, demanding judgment. It's a trap, designed to corner Jesus between the law of Moses and His message of grace.
But Jesus does something unexpected. He stoops down and begins writing on the ground with His finger. This simple act carries immense significance. It echoes back to Mount Sinai, where God's finger inscribed the Ten Commandments on stone tablets. Here, Jesus – God incarnate – is once again writing with His finger, but this time to bring a new covenant of grace and compassion.
When pressed for an answer, Jesus delivers a statement that silences the accusers: "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." One by one, beginning with the oldest, the accusers leave. They recognize their own imperfections, their own struggles with sin.
This moment reveals a profound truth: we all have our own forms of brokenness, especially in the realm of sexuality. The religious leaders, despite their outward piety, were not exempt from this universal human condition. Jesus levels the playing field, reminding us that none of us are in a position to cast stones.
The passage challenges us to examine our own hearts. How often do we draw lines, deciding which sins are acceptable and which are beyond the pale? We may justify our own struggles while harshly judging others. But Jesus invites us to a different perspective – one of humility and compassion.
This doesn't mean that Jesus condones sin. His final words to the woman are clear: "Go now and leave your life of sin." But notice the order: first comes grace, then the call to change. Jesus offers forgiveness and a new beginning before demanding transformation. This is the heart of the Gospel – we are loved and accepted as we are, but loved too much to be left unchanged.
The story beautifully illustrates the delicate balance between grace and truth. On one side lies the danger of legalism – the belief that we must earn God's love through perfect behavior. On the other side is the trap of antinomianism – the idea that since we're covered by grace, our actions don't matter. The true path of following Jesus runs between these ditches, embracing both the radical acceptance of God's love and the call to holy living.
This balance is further emphasized in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, where Paul reminds his readers of their own transformations. He lists various sinful behaviors, declaring that those who practice them will not inherit God's kingdom. But then comes the powerful statement: "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
This passage reinforces the idea that no one is beyond redemption. Our past does not define us. Through Christ, we can experience profound change – not through our own efforts, but through the power of God's love and the work of the Holy Spirit.
The message challenges us to examine our own attitudes. How do we treat those whose sins seem more visible or socially unacceptable? Do we rush to condemnation, or do we extend the same grace we've received? The story reminds us that the church should be a place of radical hospitality, welcoming all people regardless of their past or present struggles.
At the same time, we're called to pursue holiness. Jesus' command to "go and sin no more" is not an impossible standard, but an invitation to a new way of living. It's a recognition that God's ways lead to true fulfillment and joy. When we experience the depths of God's love and forgiveness, our desire to live according to His will grows naturally. This path of hoiness produced by grace is where true joy is found.
This narrative invites us to see ourselves and others through Jesus' eyes. He looks at us with compassion, not condemnation. He sees beyond our failures to our potential. And He offers us the grace and power to become the people we were created to be.
As we reflect on this powerful story, let's consider:
How can we cultivate a heart of compassion, even towards those whose sins seem especially egregious to us?
In what areas of our lives do we need to receive and embrace God's forgiveness? Is there anything we need to repent of in the realm of sexual sin?
How can we create spaces of grace and truth in our communities, welcoming all while still pursuing holiness?
Are there "stones" we need to drop – judgments, criticisms, or self-righteousness that hinder our ability to love others?
The story of the woman caught in adultery is more than just a historical account. It's an invitation to experience the transformative power of God's love and to extend that same love to others. In a world often defined by judgment and division, may we be people who embody the compassion of Christ, offering hope and new beginnings to all we encounter.
What if this is one of the pathways to genuine renewal in the church, especially in progressive urban contexts?
This article used generative AI via Pulpit AI to transform one of Chris' sermons into this article. The content is original to CDM, with some help from Pulpit AI adapting it into article form.