How to Be Heroic
Opening Prayer
I praise You, God, that each day is a new start and we are a new creation.
Read MARK 9:42–50
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. [44] 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. [46] 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where
“‘the worms that eat them do not die,
and the fire is not quenched.’
49 Everyone will be salted with fire.
50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Thank God for accepting us as we are, sinful and messed up, with all our past mistakes totally forgiven.Jesus warns us here that sin is serious. We cannot avoid living in a sinful world, so being his follower involves perpetual choices. We have to take temptation seriously. Watch what we handle; it’s better to push away tempting things (43). Watch where we walk; it’s better to run away from sin (45). Keep our eyes pure; it’s better to look away from temptation and focus on the good things God has given us (47). Battling temptation is hard, but it is better to put up with the temporary fire of testing than to face the eternal fire.
As a chemical, salt cannot stop being salty. If we focus on following Jesus we cannot slip back into sinful ways. Even if we know we can handle tempting situations, we should set a good example for weaker believers and those who do not believe (42), and then we will be at peace with each other (50).
Apply
If we are inactive we make no difference in our world. Ask God to show you where you can make a positive difference.
Closing prayer
Search your heart, Lord. Help me to make sure that the intentions of my heart are pure before You.
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