Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement

by Dr. David C. Cooper

One of the most moving of all biblical occurrences is Jesus' interaction with the woman who had been caught in the act of adultery (John 8:1-11). The story appears only in the Gospel of John. A number of persons asked me why the study notes in their Bibles made reference to the fact that this story does not appear in some of the ancient Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. So, let me explain.

The oldest New Testament manuscripts we have date back between the fourth to sixth centuries (AD). The scholars hand-copied from the originals. We call them the Uncial manuscripts, because they are written in all capital letters. The story of the woman who had been caught in adultery only appears in one of the earliest while six omit it completely and two leave a blank where it should appear. However, it emerges strongly in the later manuscripts of the medieval times.

Jerome included the story in his Latin translation of the Bible (AD 400) and Augustine and Ambrose comment on it in their writings. It appears in all the later manuscripts. It is quoted in a third century book called The Apostolic Constitutions, where it was given as a warning to bishops who were too strict. Eusebius, the church historian, traced its origin back as far as AD 100. Why was it omitted in early manuscripts? Augustine says some removed it because of its scandalous nature. Some thought the story showed Jesus being too soft on sin and thought that people might use it as a justification for sin. After all, the early church was a small island in the ocean of paganism, and needed to learn how to live a holy life. But over time, the story arrived by word of mouth, confirmed by one early manuscript and found its way back into the Gospel of John where it rightly belongs.

The story teaches us how to handle matters of judgment. The story underscores Jesus' statement that follows: "You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father who sent me" (John 8:15-16).

There will always be those among us who try to make Christianity too strict and rigid, so that we always feel like we fall short of the mark. But the good news of Jesus is the message of grace. This magnificent story of grace reminds us that, "Mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:14).

The First Fruit Of Servanthood Is Love

Dr. Zachary Tims, Jr.

The passage in Galatians 5:22-23 shows us exactly what God expects from his people in how we ought to treat one another, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance…" Galatians 5:22-23.

The first and foremost Fruit of the Spirit is Love. Love is the rudimentary principle of the New Testament commandment illustrated by Jesus Christ, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind….And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Matt 27:37-39.

And in John 13:33-34, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

Could the first fruit of Love be the characterizing factor that sets us apart from the unrighteous? Of course it is. Is there a reason why Jesus directed this statement to His disciples, the first original leaders of the New Testament church? I believe there is a reason.

The disciples were continually jockeying for position to get on Jesus’ highly esteemed good side, but he kindly rebuked this behavior telling them, “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” Matt, 23:11. These disciples were His front-line leaders, Apostles, Elders, Ministers, Deacons, and administration staff.

The first principle of Servanthood is love.

We have to apply the Servanthood factor to how we respond to God’s people. The point is that leaders ought to be the first ones compelled to show a demonstration of the Fruit of the Spirit. They are the examples for the rest of the church. Clearly, servanthood is demonstrated in how we are to love one another with the Jesus kind of love.

Now since the Fruit of the Spirit is one whole concept of Christ-like character, the Apostle Paul encouraged the church in Galatia, to “walk in the Spirit” and then he gave them instructions on how to fulfill that mandate through the Fruit of the Spirit. Love is just the top surface that peels off multiple layers of joy, peace, patience, endurance, kindness, goodness, humility, self-control, and faith.

A gentle answer, a soft spoken word in season, sincere compassion to reach out to the hurting, a listening ear, intercession, and empathy is what shows God’s people the love they deserve from leaders.

That’s why I believe the first fruit of servanthood modeled in the Fruit of the Spirit and exemplified in how we demonstrate our love, “one for another.”