John 8:7  So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.  Please read John 8:3-11.  The Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus who was caught in the very act of adultery.  Wonder where the man is?  They were quick to note that Moses and the law commanded that she be stoned to death.  Jesus then said let him that is without sin first cast a stone.  One by one they dropped their rocks and departed.  Jesus was not condoning her sin, but He was condemning their attitude.  He offered mercy and forgiveness to the woman and it appears she gladly accepted it.  We are all human.  Perhaps our first instinct is to throw a stone at those who have fallen into sin.  Perhaps we would be more like Christ if we would drop the rock, and drop to our knees in prayer.   When anyone commits sin it is never to be excused.  It must be dealt with.  The aim in dealing with sin should always be forgiveness and restoration.
Peter cursed and even denied the Lord.  Jesus met him and promptly restored him.  If I were the Lord, looking for a preacher to deliver my message on the day of Pentecost,  I would have chosen John.  He’s the one who went with Jesus all the way to the cross.  There’s hope!  God knew there would be a lot more people in the world like Peter rather than John.  Please don’t misunderstand me, when leaders in the Church fall into sin, it hurts the entire body of Christ.   The world is laughing,  the church is hurting, what we need is healing.  I’m not real smart, but stones will only cause more bleeding and death.
Our Father in Heaven desires to forgive, restore,  and heal.  There are definite consequences for sin.  Those consequences are not for the saints to decide,  but rather the Savior.  So dear child of God, let’s drop the rocks and drop to our knees when we see a brother or sister caught in the trap of sin.  I write with tears and a broken heart.  God help us all.  God have mercy on the fallen.  Amen.  Pastor