“And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.” (Mark 9:43).
In ancient times people were more black and white.
These days – living in a postmodern world – we do not really know how to commit to black and white things. We do not live in a definitely world. We do not definitely say yes or no to anything. There is in fact a whole movement around what could possibly constitute consent. It is not enough to say yes and have that indicate consent. Now, people must consider a whole range of other factors that could have an impact on whether someone is actively providing consent for a particular thing. Now, this is not a bad thing. After all, this is a way to protect others. But this is also a sign of the times. There is no black and white right and wrong – at least, there is none of this in the world. Because instead of worrying about TRUTH, we worry about giving offence…
But, the Truth came to Earth, and when He did, He did not worry about offence. He was definite. Christ, who is the TRUTH, said…
“Jesus said ‘Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.’” (Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48).
Cut it off. That is what He said. He said, if you will sin because of that, then you must stop it altogether. Amputate a limb. Christ was not being glib. He was not being rude. He was not being crazy. Christ was being definite. If something will cause you to sin, then just stop altogether. Do not go on. STOP instead…
There is no excuse and no second way to consider this. Instead, Christ says plainly… Our world is starved of truth. And Christ recognised that even back in those days… And I feel today, as I read those lines of Sacred Scripture, that Christ Himself was writing for me in particular. He wanted me to understand that radical change would be required to CUT off sin. And if that meant cutting a particular thing (or even a particular part of me) out of my own life then so be it…
And today I pray for the Grace to be bold. For my Beloved is asking me to boldly cut off the bad bits. And He asks me to do this without any hesitation. And He asks this because He knows that I am capable of doing this – it is only ever going to be a matter of my Will. After all, I must always have the will to do the Holy Will of God…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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