The Severity of Sin
Opening Prayer
Father, many pulsing messages press in on me every day. Enable me to tune in to Your frequency and hear Your voice.
Read MARK 9:42–50
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
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8).
In light of yesterday’s teaching about the place of children, it is no surprise that some understand this passage also to be about children—in which case, it describes how people, especially disciples, treat the most vulnerable and innocent “little ones” in our society. Yet these little ones are also described as “those who believe in me” (42), implying a shift towards teaching about fellow believers. The final command to “be at peace with each other” (50) confirms that relationships in the Christian community are in view. This does not make the passage any easier, however, since it then means that sins committed against fellow believers, which destroy the peaceful relationships we share, are so serious in God’s eyes that those who act in this way run the risk of “hell.” The description in verse 48 is a quotation from the final words of Isaiah (Isa. 66:24), which describe the fate of those who actively rebel against God, who die refusing their part as worshippers in God’s new heavens and earth. Similar ideas are found in the New Testament, but here, rebellion against God is translated into sins against “little ones” who believe, showing how much God is identified with his people (e.g., Rev. 21:1–8).
What particular activities are in view? The command to “have salt in yourselves” (50) might suggest the importance of right speaking (cf. Col. 4:6), the absence of which can so readily destroy relationships (Matt. 5:22). More likely, however, it suggests the disciples’ need to protect themselves against corrupting sin in all its forms. This includes the corruption of sexual sin, so prevalent in our age (cf. Matt. 5:27–30). Joel Marcus reminds us that the passage bids us
beware of anything that might damage ourselves and others whom God loves. Let us pray that we would not commit such sins (“hand”), nor go anywhere where we might commit such sins (“foot”), nor even contemplate committing such sins (“eyes”).
Apply
How can you effectively resist temptation? What can you put in place that will stop from being easily ensnared?
Closing prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to face up to the truth of my actions and attitudes, to become fit for Your eternity.
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