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You Want Me to do WHAT?


We have to admit that there are some unusual and hard to understand Scripture passages. In the Gospels, we hear that it is “easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.” We’ve also read that we are to “hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters – and yes, even [our] own life.” These alone, are pretty deep and somewhat confusing.

One, in particular, found in Matthew 5:29-30, has always generated deep discussion. It says, “If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” If taken literally (in the English translation) one could easily misinterpret the passage and possibly take action that could cause great harm to themselves.

Does the Scripture really say that? Gouge out an eye? Cut off a hand? Yes, it says that! But, that is not what it means! This is hyperbole. Hyperbole is exaggeration to evoke strong feelings and to make a point (teach a lesson). It isn’t supposed to be taken literally and acted out word-for-word.

The point Jesus was trying to make wasn’t for us to think that self-inflicted, self-mutilation was to be a punishing and necessary step to holiness. The overall theme is that God craves and desires our holiness and for us to be a holy people. The purity and faithfulness that he intends for us are worth more, even, than a sound, well, and whole body.

God has called you, after all, to be holy as he is holy (1 Peter 1:15). Jesus’ life in you, his holiness, is a treasure you carry within yourself  and should be protected as such. And so, he says, if something threatens that holiness, get rid of it. Throw it away. It’s better to do without something than to have it and to sin because you do.

What does that look like? Well, for one thing, it does NOT mean we harm or injure ourselves. It can be something as simple as a book or magazine, a picture or movie—if lust rises up because of it, discard it…throw it away…cancel the subscription…don’t watch it or look at it ever again.

But holiness is not just about cutting things out of your life. There are other ways you can preserve and foster holiness. Pick up your Bible daily…on more than one occasion. Take the Scriptures and read—maybe the story of Jesus’ death or a passage that declares your worth in God’s sight (Matthew 26–28; Psalm 139).

Maybe you can write a note to remind yourself that you are “created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth” (Ephesians 4:24). Or, perhaps, sit quietly in prayer and ask the Lord to show you something about the depth of his love for you. Load Christian music in your car and program your car radio to local Christian stations. There are plenty of “little things” we can do to empower our faith and relationship with Jesus!

Remember,  too, that God earnestly desires you to be holy, and so he is intent on reaching out to help you. So when you are facing temptation and the allure of sin, cry out to him. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you his grace and to help you grow in the fruit of self-control. Challenge yourself to memorize 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT), “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

And if you do fall to temptation, don’t despair. God still loves you. No distance, no depth of sin, is ever beyond his reach. He is always ready to forgive you, even if you commit the same sin again and again. Memorize Romans 8:38-39, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Never hesitate to run to him. He will shower you with his mercy—and the grace to live a holy life. We still need to make some critical decisions to do away with some of our lifestyle habits, but we can do it. Our relationship with Jesus is worth those sacrifices. Cut them out….cut them off….cancel them….walk away and stop allowing the things of the world to interfere with who you are in Christ Jesus, your pursuit of holiness and the relationship you have with Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Knowing this….what changes will you be making today? Can you make bigger strides towards holiness, starting now?


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