Looking Back Over Jesus’ Life

If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell of fire.
Matthew 18:8-9

My faith has been formed by the words of Jesus. And many times, they have given me reason to pause. Today’s passage is a great example.

There are lots of areas where Christians may stumble in living faithful lives. Gluttony, gossip, lust, loose speech — the lists goes on and on. A wandering eye or an untamed tongue can lead to some real faith-less behavior. But, if we act literally on the words here of Jesus, many of His followers will soon be running around with just one eye, or maybe missing other body parts.

I’d like to see if I could follow Jesus with a little less maiming (if such modifications to the life of the disciple are allowed.) I think I will start with blinders and duct tape. If my looking at the wrong things triggers coveting or worse — then don’t look. And if my words tend to be slanderous or worse – don’t speak.

Maybe practicing more self-control will make the path I wish to walk with Jesus more fruitful for me and the people I encounter.

Prayer

God, give me the wisdom and the strength to keep my life in check, so that my words and deeds will truly give You praise each and every day. I ask this through my Savior and Lord, Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.