From Science and Health Mrs. Eddy makes a distinction that while we deny sickness, sin must be admitted to be healed. Pg 461:16-23 If you believe that you are sick, should you say, “I am sick” ? No, but you should tell your belief sometimes, if this be requisite to protect others. If you commit a crime, should you acknowledge to yourself that you are a criminal? Yes. Your responses should differ because of the different effects they produce. Usually to admit that you are sick, renders your case less curable, while to recognize your sin, aids in destroying it.
The Lesson teaches the extent of God’s mercy when sin is admitted and followed by repentance. It shows there is no need to condemn oneself when God is merciful and just.
The adulterous woman:
a. Admitted her sin
b. She marveled at discerning power of the Christ, grateful for Jesus’ discourse with her and humbly accepted His mercy and blessing.
c. Then she, one woman, full of gratitude went among her people (Samaritans, who were unfriendly with the Jews at the time) to proclaim the Christ without fear.
Below is an interesting excerpt from Wikipedia about her:
“Her continuing witness is said to have brought so many to the Christian faith that she is described as “equal to the apostles”. Eventually, having drawn the attention of Emperor Nero, she was brought before him to answer for her faith,…… She is remembered on the Sunday four weeks after Pascha, which is known as “the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman”.”
A wonderful lesson on why we cannot condemn people, we can speak to the wrong but avoid condemnation of anyone including ourselves. They brought this woman to be stoned and she ended up doing more for God than her accusers.Interesting.