Cast the First Stone

In the gospels there is a story about an effort to catch Jesus off guard. Some religious people bring Jesus a woman who was caught in the “very act” of adultery. They told him the law requires us to stone this woman. Jesus did not disagree. He stooped down and began doodling in the dirt.


Recently, many Christians have been feeling overwhelmed with what they perceive to be a legal assault on their faith. Laws upholding marriage as being between one man and one woman have been challenged in court, and they have failed. Abortion continues to be legal in spite of many efforts to stop it. Christian symbols are being systematically removed from our public places. Prayer in public is discouraged at best and banned at worst. It seems the entire world is against us. We have fought hard to outlaw sin. We have inherited a Christian nation and we must fight hard to keep it that way. Jesus would want this, wouldn't he? I am not so sure.

When Jesus stood there drawing in the sand, I am sure the gentlemen around him were convinced the law made their society more holy. The law must be respected. The law must show people what is right. Recently a Federal court overruled an Oklahoma Law limiting marriage to one man one woman. Many in my circle were concerned this was a major setback for believers. Others felt they were being pressured to keep their Christian views to themselves. They felt their religious faith was unwelcome and their views scorned.

So, what is a Christian to do? The answer for many believers is more signatures on a petition, more organization for elections, more courage to make the law reflect our beliefs, less tolerance of those who disagree. At some point this entire focus has become troubling to me. Many who proclaim trust in the gospel believe our law makes us a Christian nation. It appears we have forgotten that the law is horribly ineffective at changing the hearts and minds of men. We have forgotten that our battle is not to change laws or keep laws or to make laws. Our battle is to introduce people to the Savior. It is he who has the power to change the hearts and minds of men. Meanwhile Jesus writes, "Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food, and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before me. Therefore I removed them when I saw it." Then Jesus says, “Let the one without sin cast the first stone.”