Gouge it out

[The Glory Unveiled]

And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. [ Matthew 18:9 NIV ]

The Lord Jesus advises His listeners to value the safety of their souls even more than the members of their bodies. His advice, though not meant to be taken literally, should not be ignored. Unfortunately, this is the kind of message that is less preached; the message about what we ought to do. Instead of teaching us to put away anything that leads us into disobedience, no matter what they may be, we are given shades to hide them. We have devised means to manage the things that make us fall easily into sin, instead of getting rid of them. The world and its systems have made it comfortable to live with our members that make us stumble. Whatever causes us to stumble is dangerous to our inheritance of the things that are promised to us. We must lose the things that hinder our eternal blessings and reward. Of course, it would be painful to gouge out one’s eyes, but compared to the pain of losing eternal life, losing one’s eyes, leg, or any member of the body is far less painful. The pain Jesus spoke about is figuratively describing the pain of parting with the things we love. Our willingness to part with the things that stagnate our progress is the key to guaranteed success. Eternal life is more valuable than having all the members of our body intact and yet losing the life of God. Many have kept their eyes and hands but lost the life of God in them. For some of us, our eyes or hands are symbolic of the appetites, habits, or desires that lead us away from the path of truth. Samson died because he didn’t cut off his vulnerability towards Delilah. Don’t pamper the things that weaken your resolve for the things of God. Expose them and let them lose their grip over your soul.

Prayer_Bead: Lord Jesus, have mercy upon us. Give us the power to put away the things that make us stumble in our walk with you. In Jesus name. Amen.

Wisdom_Quote: If your legs are leading you to hell, cut them off.

#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.