The Light of Christ Journey

Encouraging people on their journey with Christ

It Takes Faith

Paula K. Graves

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July 16, 2026

At some level, the father of a demon-possessed boy understood that it takes faith to deal with the spiritual forces. Mark 9: 23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” [1] He had brought his son to the disciples for healing, but they failed. He wanted to believe that healing was possible for his son. But from his experience, it seemed that God’s power was limited. Perhaps he was asking too much.

The Tension Between Faith and Doubt

The father acknowledged that his faith was weak and asked Jesus to overcome his doubt. Every believer faces a tension between faith and doubt. Understanding that genuine faith often coexists with uncertainty can help us move forward. The father’s request was a mixture of despair and trust. It is often the same for us as we pray in difficult times. We can’t stockpile faith like canned food. Faith is a constant process of renewing our trust in Jesus.

Jesus understands our struggles and honors our honest confessions, even in the face of our doubts. Hebrews 4: 15 This High Priest (Jesus) of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. [2]

On our faith journey, we can entrust even our disbelief to Jesus. He knows our every thought, and so there is no reason not to be honest with Him. For when we confess our doubts and realize our need for more faith, we are willing to turn to the Lord for help and receive it.

The Faith Requirement

Jesus did not require the man to overcome his doubts before healing the child. Jesus did, however, help the man’s unbelief by releasing the boy from the grip of the demonic. This healing did not happen because of the man’s faith but because of God’s power. The father had stated that the disciples couldn’t free his son. No human could do this alone. It required a human acting with the delegated power from God.

Faith is a gift from God. 1 Corinthians 12: 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing.[3]When we, through even a small amount of faith, turn the situation over to Jesus, He will do more than we can imagine.

Ephesians 3: 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.[4]

To learn how it takes faith, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/wholeness-through-deliverance

[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

From If You Can to All Things Are Possible

Tom Graves

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July 15, 2026

The shift from “if you can” to “all things are possible” is the narrative in Mark 9:21–23, a raw, deeply human story. A father stands before Jesus, worn down by years of watching his son suffer. His words are not polished theology. They are a mixture of hope and hesitation.

Mark 9:22Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.[1]This is where many of us live. We believe, but not without struggle. We pray, but not without questions. The father’s “if” reveals a heart that has been disappointed, perhaps by the failed attempts of others to bring healing. His pain has shaped his expectations.

     Yet what is striking is this: he still comes to Jesus. His faith may be fragile, but it is present. And that is enough to bring him into the presence of the One who makes people whole. Wholeness often begins not with strong faith, but with honest faith. This is the kind that admits, “Lord, I’m not sure, but I’m here.”

 Jesus Reframed the Possibility

 Jesus responded in a way that shifts everything: Mark 9:23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” [2] The issue is no longer Jesus’ ability; it never was. He redirected the question to apply to the posture of the human heart. The father said, “If you can,” but Jesus essentially replies, “The question is not about My power, but your faith.” Like many of us, it comes down to our faith in Jesus.

 This is not a rebuke meant to shame, but an invitation to deeper faith. Jesus calls him, and us, out of conditional belief into confident dependence. Wholeness begins when we move from questioning Jesus’s power to resting in it. Faith in our story is not about perfection; it is about direction. It is turning away from doubt as the final authority and leaning into Jesus as our Savior.

When Jesus says, “Anything is possible if a person believes,” He is not promising that our every desire will be fulfilled exactly as we imagine. He is declaring that nothing is beyond His redemptive power. Spiritual renewal, emotional healing, restored identity, and even physical transformation all fall within the scope of what He can do. Wholeness is possible because Christ is all-powerful.

The Beginning of Wholeness Through Faith

 We see the father’s response, which sets the foundation: faith is the doorway to wholeness. The father’s journey moves from uncertainty to surrender, and it is there that transformation begins. Being made whole in Jesus is not merely about fixing what is broken; it is about restoring who we are. Through Christ, we are reconnected to God as His children, reestablished in community, and renewed in purpose. His life, death, and resurrection make this wholeness possible.

This passage reminds us that Jesus meets us in our struggle but does not leave us there. He calls us higher and to trust Him fully. The same invitation stands today. Move from “if You can” to “all things are possible through Christ.” We don’t find wholeness in perfected circumstances. Wholeness is found in faith taking root in Christ. And from that place, everything begins to change. To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/wholeness-through-deliverance

[1-2 Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

The Demonic Recognizes Jesus

Tom Graves

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July 14, 2026

The demonic recognizes Jesus before the religious leaders do. This is puzzling yet revealing. This happens early in Jesus’ ministry. Mark 1: 23 Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 24 “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”[1] The people in the synagogue did not recognize Jesus, but the evil spirit did.

Later in Jesus’ ministry, the religious leaders still did not recognize Him, despite having seen or heard about His many signs and wonders. A father brought his son to the disciples for deliverance from an evil spirit, but they failed. The boy’s father explained that an evil spirit tormented his son with seizures.

Jesus responded with grief over the people’s lack of faith and called for the boy to be brought to Him. Mark 9: 20 So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. [2]  The evil spirit had one last move against the boy but left because of Jesus.

Faith is All About the Heart

 True recognition of Jesus isn’t just about knowledge but about the heart attitude.  2 Corinthians 3:16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.[3] The Jewish leaders, especially the Pharisees and scribes, were deeply familiar with Scripture but failed to recognize its fulfillment right before their eyes.

Their blindness stemmed from pride, their lack of faith, jealousy, and fear of losing their authority. They saw the same miracles as the demons but interpreted them with malice, accusing Jesus of using satanic power. In a spiritual sense, the religious leaders’ hardened hearts created a veil over their eyes.

2 Corinthians 4:4, “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” [4]

Why Demons Recognize Jesus

The Bible never depicts demons as skeptics. James 2: 19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.[5] The demonic recognizes Jesus because of their supernatural knowledge of His divine authority and impending judgment. Humans, however, recognize Jesus not only through intellectual understanding but also through faith, repentance, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and personal transformation.

 The good news is that when we humble ourselves and seek the Lord, He reveals Himself and draws us to Him. While the enemy works to blind us, the Lord is actively opening our eyes so we can repent, turn to Him, and be made whole. This is the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/wholeness-through-deliverance

[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

The Enemy of Wholeness

Tom Graves

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July 13, 2026

The enemy of wholeness in Jesus is satan and his minions, who work tirelessly every day to prevent God’s plans from unfolding in our lives. After the transfiguration, Jesus, Peter, James, and John descended the mountain and met with a spiritual battle. They found the rest of the disciples surrounded by a crowd and arguing with teachers of the law. A father had brought his son for deliverance, and the disciples had failed.

The situation revealed both the father’s desperation and the disciples’ lack of spiritual power. The spiritual battle the disciples found themselves in must have overwhelmed them. Paul gives us insight into this battle. Ephesians 6:11Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. [1]

The Ongoing Battle With Satan

 The disciples had performed deliverances before. Mark 6:7And Jesus called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. [2] Even though Jesus had given them authority, their efforts failed when they faced the demon-possessed boy.

They needed to learn, as we do, that the fight with satan is an ongoing battle. Although the disciples clearly had authority, they lacked experience in the spiritual battle they faced. Why? They had not yet learned how to appropriate God’s power. Mark 9:19 Jesus said to them, “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” [3]

 Failure compels us to admit that our own strength, wisdom, or willpower is not enough. This leads us to rely more deeply on God. It breaks the illusion of self-sufficiency and brings us closer to the Creator. 2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.[4]

Growing in Faith to Face the Battles Ahead

 Mark 9:14-19 takes place during the third year of Jesus’ ministry, shortly before his final journey to Jerusalem for the crucifixion. Since Jesus’ time with his disciples is drawing to a close, it is crucial for them to gain as much knowledge and experience as possible in spiritual warfare.

The battles ahead—whether fear, uncertainty, or hardship—are meant to test and strengthen your faith, not break it. Genuine faith becomes stronger through challenges, not when everything is easy. When you acknowledge your limitations, you create space for God to reveal His power. This is what the disciples experienced and what we experience as we grow in faith.

  So, how do you usually respond to a new challenge? Is it out of frustration or faith? The struggles you faced yesterday, God uses to prepare you for today’s opportunities. And today’s struggles are shaping you for even greater victories ahead.

To learn more about the enemy of wholeness, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/wholeness-through-deliverance

[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

From the Mountain Top to the Valley

Tom Graves

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July 12, 2026

 From the mountain top to the valley is what Peter, James, and John experienced after seeing Jesus’ transfiguration. In life, we definitely prefer mountaintop experiences over valleys — the air is fresh, the sun is bright, and the view is stunning. But the truth is, we will go through valleys. It’s unavoidable. On the mountain, the inner group of disciples experienced Jesus in a new way and saw Elijah and Moses speak to the Lord.

 Unfortunately, valleys often follow mountaintop experiences. You’ve probably realized that valleys can’t be planned or scheduled. Who hasn’t experienced an untimely valley in life? However, remember that valleys are temporary and will end. They serve a purpose, as God never wastes our suffering or a difficult circumstance. Jesus had warned the disciples. Mark 8:34If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.[1]

Valleys May Be Opportunities

 Valleys represent temporary seasons of trial, grief, or testing, yet they are not places of defeat but preparation. They are times where God works deeply in our lives. The last thing on the minds of Peter, James, and John was a spiritual battle. In Mark 9:14–17, Jesus and the three disciples returned to an argument between the scribes and the other disciples.

Jesus inquired about the cause of the dispute. Mark 9: 17 One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk. 18 And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.” [2]

 In this unexpected valley, Peter, James, John, and the other disciples learned what it takes to bring deliverance and wholeness to this young man. At first, the situation may have seemed overwhelming and discouraging. But Jesus would soon turn this failure into an opportunity for teaching, turning a negative into a positive. He can do the same for us. All we need to do is ask, “Lord, what are you teaching me through this, and what would you like me to do?”

Valleys Build Character

 Valleys are an inevitable part of life because we live in a fallen world with a sinful culture. Nothing can prevent their occurrence. Valleys exist in all areas—business, careers, marriages, and pastoral ministry. Every promise from God includes a season of valleys that we must endure. How we navigate these valleys influences the next mountaintop experience.

The key question isn’t how to avoid the valley, but who we walk with through the trial. God aims to prepare us for tough seasons, using them to strengthen us for our destiny. The disciples’ struggle to cast out the evil spirit became a teaching moment for Jesus to impact their lives and the boy, who was delivered and made whole.

To learn more about the journey from the mountain top to the valley, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/wholeness-through-deliverance

[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

Jesus Encounters Us During Times of Temptation

Tom Graves

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July 11, 2026

     Jesus encounters us during times of temptation, awakening us to the danger we face and drawing us back to Him. We have the free will to stay on the wrong path or listen to the voice of the good shepherd.

In John 8:6–11, the scribes and Pharisees tried to trap Jesus by using the woman caught in adultery as a test. The atmosphere is tense with accusations, manipulation, and hidden motives. Yet Jesus responded with wisdom and calm authority, exposing not only their true intentions but also addressing the deeper issue of the heart. One by one, they left feeling convicted.

This moment reminds us that temptation begins in our minds, where thoughts form before actions follow. The accusers weren’t just testing Jesus on the surface; their prideful hearts were wrapped in self-righteousness. Jesus’ response shows us that He cares about more than just outward actions. He cares about inward transformation. When we face temptation, we’re not alone. He meets us in that moment, offering clarity, conviction, and a way out. In Him, we find both truth and grace. That is the foundation for becoming whole.

Guarding the Mind, Growing in Wholeness


     Jesus taught us to pray. Matthew 6:9 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.[1]  This is not a passive request but an active dependence on God. It acknowledges that we need His guidance to navigate the daily battles of the mind and heart.

Temptation often gains strength through our thoughts. Philippians 4:8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.[2] If we allow unhealthy thoughts to linger, they can lead us away from God’s best. But when we fix our minds on what is good, we begin to experience His peace and transformation.

True wholeness begins with faith in Jesus as our Savior and grows as we align our thoughts with His truth. In addition, wholeness is not just about avoiding sin—it involves cultivating a life centered on Christ, starting in the mind.

Fleeing Temptation, Walking in Freedom


      When Jesus told the woman, “Go and sin no more.” [3] He was not setting an impossible standard—He is offering a new direction. Through His grace, she now has the opportunity to walk in freedom. One of the first steps in overcoming temptation is simple but powerful: to flee from it. In 2 Timothy 2:22, the Apostle Paul urges Timothy to flee youthful passions and to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is create distance from what pulls us away from God. 

Jesus concluded this passage with a powerful declaration: John 8:12“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” [4] This is the promise that anchors our hope. We’re not left to face temptation alone. Jesus invites us to follow the Light. Ultimately, wholeness is rooted in our faith in Jesus, who delivers, strengthens, and transforms us. He doesn’t just call us away from sin; He calls us into a life of freedom, purpose, and peace. To learn more about how Jesus encounters us during times of temptation, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/wholeness-for-the-outcast

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Mt 6:13). (2025). Crossway Bibles.

[2-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

The Compassion of Jesus

Tom Graves

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July 10, 2026

The Compassion of Jesus is what every believer experiences along our spiritual journey as the Lord guides and often intervenes in our lives. In John 8:1–8, Jesus returned to the Temple where a crowd gathered to hear Him teach. The religious leaders interrupted by bringing a woman caught in adultery and placing her before Him.

They reminded Jesus that the Law of Moses commands such a woman to be stoned. They think no matter how He answers, they have Him trapped. Instead of answering immediately, Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground. When they continued pressing Him, He responded, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then He stooped down again and continued writing.[1]

One by one, the accusers leave, leaving only the woman. Then Jesus spoke. John 8:10 Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” [2]

Jesus Meets Us Where We Are

In this sacred moment, we see compassion on full display. Jesus does not ignore her sin, but He also does not crush her beneath it. Instead, He meets her exactly where she is—with truth wrapped in mercy.

This is the heart of God revealed. 2 Corinthians 1:3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.[3] Jesus extended that very compassion to the woman and extends it to us. He sees our failures, our wounds, and our hidden struggles, yet He responds with grace that invites restoration rather than rejection. To be made whole begins with encountering this compassion. The kindness of Jesus meets us to transform us.

Wholeness Begins with Trusting His Heart


     As the woman stands before Jesus, everything changes—not because of what she has done, but because of who He is. His words lifted the weight of condemnation and opened the door to a new life. This is where true wholeness begins: with faith in Jesus as our Savior. Romans 2:4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? [4]

 Jesus’ compassion is not permissive; it is transformative. His mercy awakens something within us— a desire to turn, be renewed, and live differently. When we trust Him, we enter a process of healing that touches every part of our lives. Wholeness isn’t instant perfection; it’s a sincere, ongoing transformation rooted in faith. Jesus doesn’t just forgive us, He begins to remake us.

Becoming What We Have Received
    

There is an important question this passage leaves with us: Do we have a desire to be compassionate? The same compassion Jesus extends to us is the compassion He calls us to extend to others. As we are made whole, our hearts begin to reflect His.

 With Jesus’ help, we can grow to be just like He is to us—patient, kind, and full of mercy. This doesn’t come naturally; it flows from a life transformed by His grace. When we remember how He has met us in our brokenness, it becomes easier to meet others in theirs.

The woman in this story walked away not only forgiven but invited into a new way of living. She has encountered the compassion of Christ, and that encounter changes everything. In the same way, His grace invites us to step into His light, to receive His healing, and to reflect His heart. To learn more about the compassion of Jesus, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/wholeness-for-the-outcast

[1] Summary of John 8:1-8 from the Holy Bible

[2-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jn 8:10–11). Tyndale House Publishers.

Grace That Meets Us in Brokenness

Tom Graves

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July 9, 2026

     Grace that meets us in our brokenness is a gift that our Savior extends to us in His mercy and compassion. Jewish leadership brought the woman caught in adultery before Jesus, her sin exposed and her fate seemingly sealed.

John 8:6 They (religious leaders) were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. 9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.[1]

In this moment, Jesus extended grace before the woman even asked for it. He met her in her brokenness, not with condemnation, but with compassion. This is the same hand of grace He extends to us. We, too, stand exposed before God—not always publicly, but fully known by Him. Yet instead of rejection, Jesus offers mercy and grace.

To be made whole starts here: recognizing that we are recipients of undeserved grace. Wholeness is not only for heroes of the Bible but for those willing to accept what only Jesus can offer.

Wholeness Begins with Faith in Jesus

 As the crowd disappeared, Jesus is left alone with the woman. John 8:10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 11 “No, Lord,” she said. [2] In this quiet exchange, we see the beginning of transformation. She stood before the only one who had the right to condemn her, and instead, He offered her grace.

True wholeness starts with faith in Jesus as our Savior. When we place our faith in Jesus, we step into a new reality where grace defines us more than our past ever could. Jesus does not simply cover our brokenness—He begins to restore every part of us. His grace is not partial; it is complete.

Walking in the Light of His Grace

The same light that shone on this woman now shines on us. In her moment of exposure, Jesus did not leave her in darkness. Instead, He offered her a way forward—a life no longer defined by sin, but by grace.

We face the same choice: to step into the light or stay in the dark. The light of Christ exposes the truth and also offers healing. It calls us to live openly before God, no longer hiding in shame but walking in freedom. True wholeness is ultimately based on our faith in Jesus as our Savior. It is through Him—His life, His sacrifice, and His victory—that we become new. The grace He showed to that woman is not just a one-time act; it reflects the ongoing attitude of His heart toward us.

So when we face our failures, we don’t have to run or hide. Instead, we can step into the light, take hold of His outstretched hand, and accept the grace that makes us whole. To learn more about grace that meets us in our brokenness, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/wholeness-for-the-outcast

[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

Restored Not Rejected

Tom Graves

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July 8, 2026

To be restored, not rejected, is the Lord’s desire for all of us, even in the midst of our worst failures in life. In John 8:4–9, the Jewish leadership dragged the woman caught in adultery into the public eye. They exposed her failure for all to see. The weight of shame, guilt, and condemnation surrounded her. It is a moment many of us understand more than we’d like to admit. While our sins may not be displayed so publicly, we know what it feels like to be confronted by our own failures. The accusers in the story are quick to define her by her worst moment, thus, reducing her identity to her sin.

 This is often how we treat ourselves. We rehearse our mistakes, label ourselves by our shortcomings, and assume that failure is final. But Jesus interrupts this narrative. John 8:7All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone! [1] Suddenly, the crowd disperses, and the power of condemnation begins to crumble.

 Hope begins here: in the realization that failure does not have the final word. Jesus does not deny the reality of sin, but He refuses to let it be the defining truth about us. In Him, even our most broken moments become places where grace can enter if we humble ourselves and turn to Him.

The Path to True Wholeness
 Wholeness in Jesus is not simply the absence of sin or failure—it is the presence of a restored relationship with God. True wholeness starts with faith in Jesus as our Savior. It is not something we can earn, but something we receive by trusting in Him.

 When Jesus stood before the woman, He offered more than just relief from her accusers; He offered restoration. This restoration is all-encompassing. Genuine healing goes beyond the physical and reaches into the deepest parts of who we are. To be made whole is to come to Jesus in faith, but growing in faith is an ongoing process.

Hope Rooted in the Cross and Resurrection

The hope in this passage ultimately points us to the cross. Jesus’ authority to forgive and restore is rooted in what He accomplished through His death and resurrection. At the cross, He took on the condemnation we deserve. In His resurrection, He proclaimed victory over sin and death, opening the way to new life.

Jesus is like a great sculptor who uses the chisel of failure to shape us. During times of failure, I learn to rely less on my understanding and more on God. Failures often force us to examine how much we trust in God, for we find genuine hope there. The culture may tell us to depend only on ourselves, but we realize we need the Lord’s help when failure occurs. We need His Light to shine in the darkness of our setbacks. Jesus does not define us by our worst moment. He invites us into a life made whole by His grace.

To learn more about  being restored not rejected, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/wholeness-for-the-outcast

[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jn 8:7). Tyndale House Publishers.

Forgiveness Releases the Burden of Sin

Tom Graves

no comments

July 7, 2026

When Jesus refused to condemn the woman caught in adultery, forgiveness releases the burden of sin. The Pharisees tested Jesus and suggested that she be stoned. John 8:7 They kept demanding an answer, so he (Jesus) stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”[1]

All the Pharisees realized they were sinners and left. The truth is that Jesus is the only one who has never sinned. He was the only one qualified to throw a stone. John 8:10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”[2]

Was Jesus Ignoring Her Sin?

Some look at this story and misinterpret Jesus to be “easy on sin.” But for Jesus to forgive her meant that in the near future, He would pay for this sin on the cross. Jesus gives us forgiveness as a gift, but it cost Jesus everything.

Jesus did not condone the woman’s sin but commanded her to go and sin no more. She was to change her lifestyle. The woman doesn’t have to continue carrying the burden of sin and has hope for a new life.

Confession and repentance change our hearts so that we can receive Jesus’ gracious gift of forgiveness. As Jesus takes our burden of sin, we should respond with a desire to live for God rather than for ourselves. As much as possible, we want to stop routine wrongdoing. Yes, as long as we live on this earth, we will sin. But with God’s help, we can change our lifestyle.

Confronting Sin

Before we can receive forgiveness, we must admit our need. If we don’t think we have sinned, there is no reason for forgiveness. The Jewish leadership made a pretense of upholding the letter of the law before Jesus. Yet, by applying the law to the woman and not themselves, they missed their own sin. Jesus wisely required that only a sinless person could throw the first stone. This exposed the accusers’ hearts.

The older men seemed to be more aware of their sins and left first. Age and experience seemed to have moderated their self-righteousness. Each of us, no matter how old or young, must examine ourselves regularly. We all have a sinful nature and need forgiveness and continuing transformation. None of us would have been able to throw the first stone. As sinners, we have two choices. We can lay our burden of sin at Jesus’ feet or keep carrying it.

The Lord’s forgiveness is a fantastic gift. We no longer have to carry the burden of sin weighing us down. Are you weighed down with sin today? God promises that we receive His forgiveness when we confess our sins. Psalm 103: 12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.[3]

To learn how forgiveness releases the burden of sin, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/wholeness-for-the-outcast

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

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