013: On Amputation

The Historic Faith July 12, 2023
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“If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” – Matthew 5:29-30, NKJV

Polycarp:

"Let the young men also be blameless in all things, being especially careful to preserve purity, and keeping themselves in, as with a bridle, from every kind of evil. For it is well that they should be cut off from the lusts that are in the world, since ‘every lust wars against the spirit.’"

Clement of Alexandria:

"You may even have to eliminate wealth. But you may say, ‘Certainly Christ does not forbid me to own property. The Lord does not begrudge my possessions.’ However, do you see yourself dragged down and overcome by wealth? If so, leave it! Throw it away! Hate, renounce, and flee from it! ‘If your right eye offends you, quickly tear it out.’ Better is the kingdom of God to a man with one eye, than the fire to one who is unmutilated."

Origen:

"There may be someone in one of the assemblies of the church who can be called a ‘hand’ because of his practical gifts. However, he might shift and become a hand causing others to stumble. In that case, let the eye say to such a hand, ‘I have no need of you.’ And when he has said it, let him cut it off and cast it from him."

Question for Today

Jesus tells us to deal decisively with things that cause us to sin. He says not only to cut it off, but also to cast it from you. 

Is there something you can identify that consistently leads you to sin?

How can you cut it off, such that it no longer leads you into that sin? 

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