I received an interesting email from an unknown person this week. This seemed to be a very kind hearted person, who probably knew Christ as their Savior. This person went on to tell me they were kicked out of school because they had cheated on a chemistry test. (I think this person was wondering if I would condemn or accept them, based on this act.)
Ironically, I can say I've never been tempted to cheat on a test, but I have been tempted and succumbed to sin in so many other areas of life. The truth is we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. None of us are any better than the worst in mankind. Jesus redemption through His blood is the only difference between a sinner and a heaven bound saint.
Here's the ironic part, Thursday while I was taking a computer test, a guy I set next to started tapping me on the arm, during the test. :( Without even thinking I looked over and said, "Huh?" He shoves the instructions in front of my face and said, "You have to center that!"
Why was he even looking at my screen?" Maybe his intent was good, but that action threw my whole thought pattern off. I have a habit of going back and checking things, if there's time before I submit it. Now I felt like there was no way I could go back and fix that without "cheating." To make matters worse a few minutes latter, he taps me again. This time I felt like cussing, but didn't. I glared at him, and told him "That's why they call it a test."
To top it all off, there was the teacher glaring at me. I tried to explain what happened when I turned my work in. She is a very good teacher, but I couldn't help but wonder if she now questions my integrity. My point is this never say never, because Satan will find a way to tempt any of us. If he doesn't secede he will at least make us look bad.
By the end of the test I felt horrible; no I didn't go back and try to repair things. I probably failed the test. I asked that guy to never do that again. He said he was, "only trying to help." Bless his heart maybe in his mind, that was trying to help. God will have to sort that one out.
Sin is sin. We all are guilty of it and none of us are better than anyone else. It's important to let Jesus make the difference and as He said in the following passage, "Go and sin no more."
5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
11"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
The Validity of Jesus' Testimony 12When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
13The Pharisees challenged him, "Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid."
14Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. 18I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me."
John 8:5-18 (NIV)
