This series began two posts ago. Thus the reference to Sodom.

So what does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself? One of the examples that liberal Christians like to use is that of the woman brought to Jesus caught in adultery.

It is a great example in fact, if it is taken to its conclusion.

Jesus not only loved this woman enough to give His life for her, but enough to let her know that he did not condemn her for her sin, for which He would later die. Was that the end? If that were the end of the lesson learned through this woman’s experience with Jesus; then the liberals could feel justified. They could then say that He would have made the point that all of us are sinners and that we should not throw stones, and that none of us would be condemned for any sin. But the example did not end there for Jesus then said: “go and sin no more”. Had her accusers stayed there; those who dropped their stones and walked away; they would also have heard the words “go and sin no more”.

Scripture tells us that God looks for those of us with a contrite heart. Such a one willingly admits his sin before God and seeks His forgiveness.

Many admit that they are sinners, but with no desire for forgiveness, and no intention of turning away from their sin. They don’t understand that only Jesus can change their lives. All that is required of us is the belief that Jesus will forgive and change us when we turn away from our sinfulness and to Him, fully believing that He paid the price for our sin, because He is the God who loves us.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (NASB2020)

We can kid ourselves or be deceived by what we are told or by what we believe about loving our neighbors, but without being crucified with Christ, and being possessors of His Spirit where we bear in this temple (our inner man) God’s Spirit, who teaches us His ways; then we have no justification and no salvation. But this is His work in our life, ours is in the acceptance of Him, and the willingness to be conformed into His image. This is the gospel in a nut shell. Giving life away makes one unique in God’s sight.

Matthew 16:25 “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. (NASB2020)

If one truly loves his neighbor he will give him the truth of the gospel. The truth concerning sins destructive force, and the truth that Christ is the only answer for our sin. He will not want his neighbor to walk off a precipice into hell, not if he loves him. He will do everything in his power to show him Christ the bridge to heaven. He will do this even though he is ridiculed for so doing.