Suppose a person arrived at school or work with a note from their doctor stating they had been sick or injured, but now have a clean bill of health. Yet, the individual with the note requests that normal expectations be lowered for them because they had been sick/injured. This person is giving themselves permission to behave as though they were still in need of healing. Based upon the doctor’s treatment and evaluation, when should the person be capable of resuming normal activity? Immediately! Would you consider their request reasonable? Of course not!
In Luke 5:30-32 the scribes and the Pharisees complained to Jesus saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
In this passage Jesus compares physical illness with spiritual sickness. In both cases the one who is suffering is in need of help from a physician. If it is reasonable to expect a person with a “clean bill of health” to resume normal physical activity, what then should the expectations of God be concerning those who have been healed of their spiritual infirmities? Do past sinful weaknesses excuse a person from some things that demonstrate Christian behavior? Does the Great Physician say, “You are completely healed, but I do not expect you to live a completely pure life? You have only been healthy for a short period of time.” Does God allow new Christians time to “wean” themselves from sin?
On one occasion, a woman caught in the act of adultery was brought before the Lord by a group of scribes and Pharisees (John 8). It was stated to Jesus that according to the Law of Moses she should be stoned to death. Jesus answered by saying, “He who is without sin cast the first stone.” Beginning with the oldest men in the group they all began to walk away until no one was left except the woman. Jesus asked, “Where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; GO AND SIN NO MORE” (John 8:11; emphasis added).
Some justify sinful activity by stating, “I have given up so much. I have come a long way from where I began, but I am still working on a few sinful behaviors.” Thus, they give themselves permission to live as though the healing of their spiritual sickness was being treated by a time-released spiritual pill. Forgiveness is instantaneous. Spiritual healing is complete (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38).
Concerning those who have been made whole by the blood of Jesus the apostle Paul asked, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! HOW SHALL WE WHO HAVE DIED TO SIN LIVE ANY LONGER IN IT” (Rom. 6:1-2; emphasis added)?
How soon after her forgiveness did Jesus expect the woman caught in sin to turn completely from it? Was it unreasonable for Jesus to expect her to immediately abstain from all sin? She had only been pure in the eyes of God for a few seconds, and just a few moments before, she had been caught in the act of a sin punishable by death. Obviously, there is no room in these instructions by the Lord to grant oneself permission to sin even a little bit. “Go and sin no more” is applicable and expected by God of anyone who says they are going to follow Jesus (Lk 9:23).
Has the Great Physician healed you? Go and sin no more (Rev. 2:10)!
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