Today's Devotion (Friday)

 

For Kingdom’s Sake

MATTHEW 5:27-32

Key Verse:

"And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell" (Matthew 5:29).

 

We can learn something from the story of Pierre Hurlat, the keenest eyed gunner in France during his days. He had managed to save up enough money by thrift to buy a beautiful little cottage in Severs village that was at the foot of the bridge. Just as he was looking forward to moving in there with his wife, the Franco-Prussian War started and he was needed. Many of the German soldiers that seized Pierre’s village flocked in that cottage. As Pierre was standing by his gun on the heights of Valeria, his commander ordered him to fire at the German-infested cottage. With great courage, he did and the house was demolished. As the commander looked at the tearful Pierre and asked why he wept, "Ah, General," said the great gunner, "it was my own house." A drastic problem demands a drastic measure. What is at stake should determine how far you should go in a matter. Skillful Pierre had to destroy his own beautiful cottage just to get rid of invading Germans and save his country. Christ recommended no less severe measure for us in handling anything that will give victory to licentious passion in us. "And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee..." said He. Although this applies to any thing that can lead us to any kind of sin, it was said particularly in connection with adultery. Today, sexual immorality is commonly practiced, permitted and promoted. The temptation to yield to it has never been greater. The world may popularise and glamorise it but there is so much loss in it. It reduces anyone trapped in it to a bestial and profane state. The guilt and reproach arising from it is almost infinite. But all these are nothing compared with the divine judgment that sin occasions. Heaven-bound saints must steer clear of sexual (and other) sins, and be willing to sacrifice any cherished thing or relationship that is capable of leading us to sin and prime us for hell, because "from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence…"

Thought for the day: Give up anything that will make the Lord give up on you.

 

Bible Reading in one Year: MATTHEW 27 - 28