Tuesday 21 November, 2017

42 “What if someone leads one of these little ones who believe in me to sin? If they do, it would be better if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. 43-44 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It would be better for you to enter God’s kingdom with only one hand than to go into hell with two hands. In hell the fire never goes out. 45-46 If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It would be better to enter God’s kingdom with only one foot than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. 47 If your eye causes you to sin, poke it out. It would be better for you to enter God’s kingdom with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell. 48 In hell, “ ‘The worms that eat them do not die. The fire is not put out.’ (Isaiah 66:24) 49 Everyone will be salted with fire. 50 “Salt is good. But suppose it loses its saltiness. How can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves. And be at peace with each other.”

Jesus is giving some pretty heavy warnings to his disciples about the eternal cost of sin.

As a new Christian this passage used to scare me as I’d heard story’s where people had actually mutilated themselves so that they would no longer sin. Now I see that loosing an eye, or a hand or a foot is actually not going to change my heart, where sin is birthed. Only God’s grace, my humility and repentant heart before him is the only way that my heart & therefore my desire to sin is changed.

My life is to reflect Jesus – that is what discipleship is about – so that in time others too will reflect Jesus. I need to make sure how I live, my attitudes, actions, decision, lifestyle, will not lead another Christian into sin, that they will not follow a wrong example.

Lord help me to always be aware of who it is that I represent as a follower of Jesus, You – that others will rightly see You through my life.

Written by Suzie Hodgson