Can you cast the first stone?

1Timothy 1:8-11 (NLT)
8 We know that the law is good when used correctly. 9 For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. 10 The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching 11 that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.

The Apostle Paul writes to Timothy telling him some people have missed the point of God’s love, grace, mercy and salvation. They wanted to be teachers of the Mosaic Law; however they forgot the debt of sin paid for by the blood of Christ. A new covenant with God was established through Christ’s death. Christ became our propitiation for sin. These teachers dwelt on arguments and speculation, but they missed out on being filled with God’s love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience and genuine faith in Christ. They pointed to the law and said,”Look at what these people are doing” while forgetting they were also sinners. The Law was to give us a reflection of right and wrong, but The Law was something no man could live up to, except Jesus Christ.

The list of sins given in 1 Timothy 1:8-11 include those who: hold nothing sacred, defile what is holy and ignore Gods commandments, murder, practice immoral sexual acts, force various forms of slavery upon people, lie, break promises, and lastly they go against the Good News of Salvation itself. There is no one in this world without sin. Even when the most holy religious leaders brought a woman to Jesus who committed adultery; Jesus said to them “He who is without sin cast the first stone.” Everyone then left for they knew they were all filled with sin. If the most holy religious leaders of The Law could not stone this woman; what about the rest of us? Remember the Bible tells us there is no one without sin. There are people in our world today who attack different groups of people because of their sin. Gays become a target when they announce their sin. Those who commit adultery are abandoned as if they are lepers. Those in jail are forgotten for they too must be horrible sinners. And those who lie and gossip are avoided. Yet we must remember the truth - Christ died for all our sins; not just the pastor’s, not just your friend’s, not just your parent’s, not just the best of the best, but for ALL. Let’s not act like the people of Timothy’s time and engage in meaningless discussions. Instead let us promote the love of Christ, God’s mercy and grace and the glorious eternal life He holds for us.