Reflecting on John 5:1-15“Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” (John 5:14)
Jesus’s command to ‘stop sinning’ is not a general statement said to everyone.
As a general statement, it is not really helpful.
Jesus is speaking specifically to something He has discerned for this man.
There was something unloving and cruel that needed to be rebuked.
Sin is the opposite of God’s command to love, and this man was somehow sinning.
Who can “stop sinning”, who can “go and sin no more” (John 8:11)?
This man knew what Jesus was referring to, and so was the woman in John 8.
If Jesus said this to us, we would know what He was talking about too.
What are the specific bad attitudes or behaviours that are making my life worse?
When we spend time with Jesus, being open and honest, His Spirit gently prods us.
He has blessed us, forgiven us, helped us, but He also gentle warns us.
‘That attitude or behaviour that is messing up your life, you need to deal with it.’
Admit the problem, determine to resist it, seek out divine and human help.
Not dealing with unloving, harmful attitudes and behaviours will only make things worse.
Jesus comes to restore us to love; do we want to be released from our loveless ways?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I do know what You are talking about, and I do hear Your love gently but firmly calling me to stop the unloving attitude and behaviour that is making my life worse. Keep on nudging me!