Offering Compassion to Sinners: a devotion on forgiveness

From an Africa Study Bible Proverbs & Stories note:

Angry mobs are common in many parts of the world. When a person commits a crime, a mob stones or burns the accused person to death. Sometimes that person may not have committed the crime. Other people—who may be guilty of the same crime—take the law into their hands and kill the accused without a fair trial. However, the Sama of Angola say, Wela a mwela kinxibhi. Se oxibha omutu wixi waxibha mukua nai wanda kuxibha eie mukunda dya ku muxibha, meaning, “The one who committed a mistake must be rebuked, not killed. If you kill someone for being a murderer, who will kill you for killing him?”

When the woman was caught in adultery, Jesus pointed out that all the leaders who wanted to kill her deserved judgement themselves. Jesus was the only one present who had never sinned. Jesus did not stone the woman because that was the opposite of His mission. Jesus did not come to cast stones at sinners but to save them. 

As followers of Jesus, our role is to share the Good News of Jesus with the lost and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). That is the opposite of becoming a person’s accuser. Let God or the proper authorities bring judgement. We must help restore sinners with compassion, forgiveness, and love.

Today: 

Examine your heart. Who in your community or in your church have you looked down upon or judged for their sinful behaviour? Ask God to change your heart. Remember that you are also a sinner and show kindness towards that person next time you see them.