Pastor Stephen Dedman

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

Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:8 are striking and challenging. He urges His disciples to take drastic action to remove anything that causes them to sin, even if it means sacrificing something as essential as a hand or foot.

For us today, Jesus’ words serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of dealing with sin in our lives. Just as a doctor may recommend amputation to save a person’s life, so too must we be willing to remove anything that threatens our spiritual health and well-being. This may involve cutting off sinful habits, severing harmful relationships, or eliminating sources of temptation from our lives.

While the idea of cutting off a hand or foot may seem extreme, Jesus is highlighting the urgency of pursuing holiness and the seriousness of sin in God’s eyes. He wants us to understand that the consequences of sin are eternally significant and that we must be willing to take radical measures to avoid it at all costs.

Today, let us examine our hearts and identify anything that may be hindering our walk with God. May we be willing to take radical measures to remove sin from our lives, knowing that the reward of eternal life far outweighs any temporary sacrifice we may make.

Pray

Lord, give me the courage and strength to deal decisively with the sin in my life. Help me to identify anything that leads me astray and to remove it, no matter the cost. Help me to pursue holiness, knowing that You offer me abundant life and eternal salvation. In Jesus’ name, amen.

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬

Paul’s declaration, “to live is Christ,” serves as a powerful reminder of the central focus and purpose of the Christian life. For Paul, every aspect of his existence – his thoughts, actions, and desires – revolved around Christ.

We are called to adopt the same perspective as Paul. Our lives are to be characterized by a singular focus on Christ and His kingdom. Every decision we make, every relationship we cultivate, and every endeavor we undertake should reflect our commitment to honoring and serving Him.

Living with the mindset of “to live is Christ” means surrendering our own desires and ambitions to the will of God. It means living in such a way that our lives point others to the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, Paul’s acknowledgment that “to die is gain” underscores the Christian’s confidence in the hope of eternal life. In Christ, we have the assurance of salvation and the promise of an eternity spent in His presence.

Today, let us echo Paul’s declaration with our own lives: to live is Christ. May we wholeheartedly devote ourselves to Him, seeking to honor and glorify Him in all that we do. And may we live with the confidence and hope that comes from knowing that, in Christ, death is not the end but the beginning of eternal life with Him.

Pray

Lord, help me to embrace the truth that my life is to be lived for Your glory and honor. Help me adopt the mindset of “to live is Christ,” seeking Your kingdom above all else. Thank You for the hope I have in You, knowing that death is not the end but the beginning of eternal life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬

The call to “receive with meekness the implanted word” speaks to the importance of cultivating a heart that is ready and receptive to God’s truth. It requires humility, openness, and a willingness to be transformed by the Word of God.

To receive God’s Word with meekness means acknowledging our own limitations and shortcomings and recognizing the authority and sufficiency of God’s Word in our lives. It involves laying aside the distractions and temptations of the world and allowing God’s Word to take root deeply within us, shaping our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.

As we rid ourselves of sin and worldly influences, we create space in our hearts for the Word of God to dwell in us richly. A heart that is meek and receptive to God’s Word bears fruit – fruit of righteousness, wisdom, and spiritual growth.

May we rid ourselves of anything that hinders our receptivity to His Word, and may we approach His Word with eagerness and expectancy, ready to receive the life-transforming truth that He desires to implant within us.

Pray

Lord, help me to lay aside all filthiness and wickedness, and to approach Your Word with meekness and humility. Plant Your Word deeply within my heart, that it may take root and bear fruit in my life. Give me a receptive heart, eager to receive Your truth and obedient to do Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.