Nothing is more discouraging than to be the object of judgmental responses by members of the Body of Christ for our own personal moral failings and improprieties. Although any departure from the righteousness and character of Christ is an offense to Heaven itself, ("Nothing impure will ever enter it" Revelation 21:27 NIV), we must not frustrate Christ's passion to serve, embrace and forgive the erring.

"The Lord is righteous; he [alone] does no wrong" (Zephaniah 3:5 NIV, adapted). Our personal experience affirms what the Bible teaches, that professors, pastors, presidents, prophets and perfectionists have "all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23 NIV; Zephaniah 3:4 NIV). Even deliberate and intentional unrighteousness should not be surprising in light of Jeremiah's observation, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9 NIV) Whatever the reason, everyone at times of personal failure may claim in faith the iron-clad promises of God's forgiveness and restoration. God declares, "For I will [even] forgive your [deliberate] wickedness and [seriously,] I will remember your [willful] sins no more" (Jeremiah 31:34 NIV, adapted). What compassion and love! Unmerited forgiveness and a clean slate!

In the Bible's famous sexual purity debate, Jesus confirmed God's opinion of those who stand in the way of His compassion for sinners. The command is clear, "If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at the [sinner]" (John 8:7 NIV, adapted).

Ellen White adds, "While [Jesus] does not palliate sin, nor lessen the sense of guilt, He seeks not to condemn but to save. The [synagogue leaders] had ... only contempt and scorn, but Jesus speaks words of comfort and hope. ... While the Pharisees denounce, Jesus bids, 'Go, and sin no more'" (The Desire of Ages, p. 462, adapted).

This encouraging narrative offers key lessons. First, we should acknowledge that conviction of sin is not our work, but the work of the Holy Spirit. Our work is to love and encourage with compassion and sympathy. Second, we can offer hope with the assurance that forgiveness is generously extended to all, and that every sin confessed is completely deleted from the record. Third, through our own testimony and acts of encouragement we offer hope of a better life through the power of the resurrected Christ by the indwelling Spirit. Fourth, we continue to pray for God's power and blessings that they may experience victory in Jesus.

When we are quick to censure, judge and condemn, we reveal that our characters are more like that old serpent, the devil—the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12). How much better to pattern our lives after the example of Jesus—and to offer the prayer, "Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace..." (St. Francis of Assisi)

Cynthia and J.W. Warren co-founded Spring Hope Ministries to celebrate and promote the joys and benefits of the Adventist lifestyle. They have three children and reside in Berrien Springs, Michigan.