If Thine Eye Offend Thee

In the same vein, let us look at the words of Jesus: 

Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

If anything is causing you to sin, even if it means as much to you as your own right arm, you need to be rid with it. If it is a friend, in whose company you are drawn away from God, let it not be grievous to you to end that friendship. It may look innocuous, but the devil loves to deceive and get us away from the power of God that gives us the victory.  Anything, once God has brought it to your attention that it draws you from Him and causes you to be easily tossed about by the devil to sin, has no worth to you as a child of God-- it's not worth your soul! 

Not My Will But Thine Be Done

I've been pondering a matter, wanting to know God's will before I do anything. I believe that it is good to take everything to the Lord in prayer and acknowledge Him in all our ways. I want to be where He wants me to be. I know from experience that He can lead me in the right way and that I can know that it is His will. He has taught me out of His holy word and done "surgery" on my heart to help me to offer up of my will as a spiritual sacrifice to Him-- and may He continue to work on me until there is nothing left of my own will and only His divine will remains.

But then I was hesitant; what if God showed me which way I should go but I could not give up what I wanted? I shudder to be like the remnant of Judah who purposed to go down to Egypt, but asked the prophet Jeremiah to inquire of the Lord his God for them if they should go or stay and whatever He said, they would obey. God knew they wouldn't obey, but still He answered them and told them not to go up to Egypt. The remnant didn't agree with God's advice, and made the excuse that Jeremiah must be working for their enemies and told them to stay only to get them killed. And so disobeyed and partook of God's wrath in the judgment of Egypt.

Am I willing to do whatever Jesus asks of me? Am I willing to go to the cross with Him? As Jesus sacrificed His own flesh's will in the garden of Gethsemane, may God give me the grace to offer up my own will for His. 

As a child, I was very hesitant to make a promise, fearing I wouldn't be able to keep it and be made a liar. I remember as I studied baptism, how I wondered how I could promise to always follow Jesus. And in my own strength alone, I could never succeed. Thank the Lord, I made the decision to always follow Jesus. But it is Jesus who keeps us from falling. In my own strength, I can do nothing, but by God's grace and in His strength alone, I will always follow Jesus. And I can look back and say, it was nothing good in me, only the great matchless mercy of God, that drew me to Him. Everything I have become, any good that is found in me, is due to the mercy of my Savior alone. In me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing. 

In conclusion, I must never be afraid to ask His will, He will give me the strength I need when I need it, and help me to give up my will for His.