January 13

Matthew 5:27-32 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (v. 28)

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. (v. 29a)

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. (v. 30)

Observation

God’s standards are far more stringent than our interpretation of his laws and teachings. To the point that we know it cannot be obeyed with our own abilities. We learn once again that we cannot be in His presence eternally apart from His grace.

We can trick ourselves and others into believing that we are good because we do or don’t do some things. But God is not satisfied with our outwardly behavior by itself. The actions must be a byproduct of what is inside of us.

Being with God is a serious business and we must not take it lightly. The scripture tells us that if any of our bodily members causes us to sin, we should cut it off. There must be a lot of people with missing body parts in Heaven!

Seriously though, I think Jesus meant this figuratively rather than literally. Verse 28 tells us that the eye was an instrument but the sin came from the heart, not the physical kind that can be carved out. I am confident that I am capable of sinning even if I cut off all of my limbs and senses.

Application

There are many kinds of stimulation from the world that can lead me to sin today. In the midst of all these, how can I stay holy, set apart, and be worthy of being in His presence? It’s not going to happen by living my life haphazardly. It’s going to require purposeful living that constantly evaluates my relationship with God, from inside out. I need to evaluate things I do throughout each day and ask myself if anything needs to be cut out for the sake of Kingdom.

In a sense, I need to take God seriously enough to feel the pain. This pain may be unpleasant in the beginning, but I think it’ll turn into the kind of pain that I feel when I work out. The kind that feels really good afterwards.

Prayer

Lord, please cause me to be holy as you’re Holy. And if there is any part of me that is not pleasing to you, please help me to cut it off. There is nothing that I desire than to be with you forever. Amen.

--tchang