Soldier's Orders: Cut It Off
If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.
Matthew 18:8 (NKJV)
If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble and sin, cut it off and throw it away from you [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into everlasting fire.
Matthew 18:8 (Amplified Bible)
Have you heard these words, “He's my right-hand man”? Jesus now sits at His Father’s Right Hand. In this light, your right hand can signify your closest family or trusted friend: your go-to person for a job well done or in time of need. But…
What if your right hand starts dealing dirty, stacking decks, speaking lies, or taking bribes? What if your right hand starts acting selfishly, even foolishly or traitorously? Like it's (or he) isn’t part of your life?
'For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there' (James 3:16). Should you join in the game, look away, or cut it off?
Jesus gives us step-by-step instructions for our “right hand” (our closest kin) who strays:
'If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church...' (Matthew 18:15-17)... cut him off.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
'Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart' (2 Timothy 2:22).
'Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character' ' (1 Corinthians 15:33).
King David said in a heartfelt prayer:
'Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil, so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers' (Psalm 141:4).
Is it tough to cut off a right-hand man? Little in life could be harder than this. Consider what the Apostle Paul said:
'I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus' (1 Corinthians 5:5).
In other words, the 'cut off’ right-hand friend may turn around like the Prodigal Son. In the meantime, your duty continues, unbound, undistracted, and undefiled.
Soldier's Orders: Cut It Off (Part 24)
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.