"....And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched." Mark 9:43-48.
This is one of those tough, no pussy-footin' around statements that Jesus made, one that we'd prefer hadn't been recorded. Mark Twain said it well in this quote, "It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand." There's no denying what Jesus meant, and he didn't want anyone to misinterpret him. Put even more plainly, if there is something in your life that is offensive to God, get rid off "IT". Perhaps it's an addiction of some sort, or behavior, but actually it can be anything that has a hold of you, and keeps you from a complete relationship with your Creator. These things wind themselves into our hearts, minds and beings like an insidious cancer. Sometimes we notice the destruction they wreak in our lives, but often we become so used to them that their side effects become natural and accepted. We've all known how that feels, be honest. It's easier to see it in others, but God wants us to look into his mirror and see for ourselves, so that, with his help, it can be eradicated.
Recently I had a conversation with someone who said that God could never forgive them for their particular "it", so they felt that they must carry this burden around forever, even into Hell. I set before them the "good news", God can, and will forgive even the most heinous sin. The enemy doesn't want us to know, or believe that, but it's the truth. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9. Don't get the wrong idea about forgiveness, it also includes repentance and a sincere desire to stay away from your "IT" forever. If it tries to sneak back, and it will, call on God and he'll supply you with the way to escape its hold. "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13. Sin is like a gangrenous limb, it becomes a part of us, but it's a part that threatens to take your life and, worse yet, your eternal life. GET RID OF IT!!!
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