Key Verse: “And if your hand causes you to fall away, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and go to hell, the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to fall away, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to fall away, gouge it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell” (Mark 9:43-47 CSB)
On September 3, 1939, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain made a historic speech from the Cabinet Room at 10 Downing St in London. He informed the world that, in response to the invasion of Poland by Nazi German forces just days early, both Britain and France had declared war on Germany. This marked the beginning of World War 2.
Followers of Jesus Christ who are serious about seeking first His righteousness in their lives recognize that they too are engaged in a battle. We are “to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11). Temptations or stumbling blocks into sin are around every corner. “Sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it” (Genesis 4:7).
In Mark 9, Jesus calls His disciples to take very seriously the pursuit of holiness in their lives. He uses some very graphic imagery to help illustrate the importance of engaging in this kind of warfare. According to Jesus, if your hand, foot, or eye “causes you to fall away” or to sin, you should cut it off or gouge it out. To be clear, Jesus is not promoting or endorsing self-mutilation. He is using hyperbole to warn us of the danger of sin in our lives.
Is sin really that big a deal? Do we really need to take the pursuit of holiness as seriously as Jesus is saying here? Apparently so. According to Jesus, “it is better” to enter life maimed, lame, or with only one eye than to face the eternal consequences of our sin. The cost of holiness is much more advantageous than having to face the “unquenchable fire” of hell.
Holiness is always the better way. The Apostle Paul wrote, “If you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit, you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13). Sin in our lives is not to be minimized, ignored or excused. It must be destroyed. There is just too much at stake.
The finished work of Christ on the Cross has made this possible. The war has already been won. Now, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have the ability to win the battles against temptation every single day. But we must take it seriously.
What does the battle for holiness specifically look like for you right now? Where are you most tempted to stumble and fall? With the help of the Spirit, declare war on your sinful desires. Seek first His righteousness in your life today.
Prayer: God, you are holy and you have called me to be holy. Help me to take sin as seriously as you do. Grant me the strength by your Spirit to stand firm against the temptations I will face today. Thank you Jesus for the victory that you have already won. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
