Tear It Out

Sometimes the Holy Scriptures hand us some serious, harsh teachings. Even the words from our humble Savior may seem exaggerated when he tells us to pluck our eye out if it makes us stumble. Can we picture a person attempting such a messy surgical procedure? What about the inevitable pain that would follow? Jesus must have meant something else when He said it, right?

Wherever God comes into the picture, we should take the matter seriously. This is not something people do much of anymore. We water everything down now to the point where we can scratch our chins and say, “Hmm!” Then, perhaps some will make a mental note to consider the thought when, or if, they ever have a moment.

The Holy Spirit´s work in us to reveal the Father and the Son involves a radical change of focus.  It is for those who have decided that wherever God leads is better than what we see and know. Those who press on are the ones who would give up all that we have here and not fear anything we must suffer in the process. Call it a radical point of view. But we could use a change of attitude. Let us pray that we can make God more important than an eye or a hand. If we can grow closer to the Lord, let nothing stand in our way!

Dear Lord, please help us change our attitude.  Instead of weighing what it may cost us, help us gladly give anything to be with You. If our faith is not strong enough to drive us hard after You, please strengthen it.  Then, if we lose an eye, or anything else in this life, we will still be able to rejoice. We will finally find all that we need in You. Amen

Hebrews 12:1-2 , Colossians 3:2 , Luke 16:13, James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-16