I’d rather not give up my hand, foot or eye even if the consequence
of keeping what causes me to sin is hellish. That’s the literal truth of this
passage and one that is not that hard to understand. Giving up what causes us
to sin is as difficult as cutting off a hand or a foot or plucking out an eye.
The fact that the text makes us uncomfortable is a good indication that we know
we have grown accustomed to stumbling through life and are not all that anxious
to do the painful but necessary work of removing from our being the thoughts,
words and deeds with which we harm ourselves and others and ultimately offend
the Lord. But when the word of the Lord
salts us with fire we hear the truth about our faltering footsteps which is always an invitation to be set free from whatever impedes peace within ourselves. And if we are at peace within ourselves we are more likely to be at peace with others and that always pleases the Lord.
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