CAST THE FIRST STONE

Jesus once wrote in the sand while in the midst of accusers who demanded death for a sinner. Because that was the "law". Cast the first stone, He says, if you have never sinned (John 8:7-12).   No one could. They all had to walk away. They could not condemn the sinner.

Many today are upset that #CaseyAnthony won't die for what we believe she's done.  But we must remember that God still forgives and delivers.  Who are we to say what God has for Casey Anthony?  Perhaps her life was spared so that she could come to know Him.  Does she deserve a second chance? Does she deserve to live? Does she deserve deliverance? Does she deserve God's love?

Do you?  Do I? Do we?

Sure, you and I can boldly say that our sins (and yes, we have all sinned) are not as heinous as hers. But we can say that about anybody. Sin is sin, although the outcome may be different.  In the eyes of God, it is still sin.  The liar's "white lies" are no different than the proven lies that Casey rattled off.  And even those big lies that some of us tell, they're also no different. We just don't get caught!

I know. We don't kill our children, as she's been accused. And yes, it is a shame that precious Caylee had to die. But, I honestly don't know why she had to die. I can't say why God allowed it. But I can also ask, why did my own baby die. I didn't kill her, but I lost my baby nonetheless. I still don't know the answer why. I may never know. We may never know. But one thing I do know about my own child (as well as my own brother who died in infancy), their life and death had a purpose. One I may not understand. Caylee's life and death had a purpose. Her life was not wasted. I....we....simply may never understand. Some things are not for us to understand.  We just have to trust God for His infinite wisdom, and His will.

Does Casey deserve forgiveness? Absolutely! We all do. Jesus died for all of us. Casey is not excluded. The choice is hers (just as it is/was ours) to accept salvation.  We maybe upset (I know that I was); we may not understand (I know that I don't); we may have questions (I know that I do). But that doesn't give us the right to stone her to death. Let's keep her in our prayers.

"7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 

11 She said, “No one, Lord.” 

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” 

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”  John 8:7-12 (NKJV)

Carla Y. Nix