Here's a tough teaching Jesus gave..."If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and go to hell. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to live life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell." (Mark 9:43-47 NRSV)Is Jesus really endorsing a literal "cut your hand off" approach to anything that would cause me to stumble in my Christian walk? Maybe or maybe not...but either way I can tell He is very serious about how I live out my life. Why? Because Jesus doesn't want me to miss out on all that God has for me.
This passage convicts me today. There are things, thoughts and actions in my life that cause me to get off track too easily. I sense Jesus gently, and yet convincingly, spotlighting these areas and calling me to do something about them.
If it wasn't for God's grace and Jesus' love, I'm pretty sure I'd be maimed, lame or blind by now.
