Matthew 5: 29,30
As we continue reading through Jesus' sermon we come to these verses, which as a child I used to wonder at and think very strange,
"And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell".
Jesus constantly used stories and picture language to convey his message to his listeners. The extreme language which he uses here illustrate the extreme measures needed to avoid sin and bring sin under control. But I doubt very much that he meant us to literally pull out our eyes or cut off our hands.
Instead is he conveying the vital need to turn from those sins which we recognise, those lusts which are deep within our heart and cause us to sin?
How do we do this?
Do you have a besetting sin? A sin which troubles you and you can't seem to get under control?
Well a few mornings ago whilst it was still very early I was sleepily turning over in bed and a question suddenly came into my mind, 'Have you really repented?'
'Where did that come from?' I thought to myself!
It's unusual to have such clear thoughts when so sleepy, and I couldn't shake it off.
My mind went back to the time when the Lord first spoke to me and times of sinning since then. Had there really been a change? Had I really repented? If this was a word from the Lord, why was he asking?
Prior to falling asleep I had fleetingly thought about these verses on my mind for the next blog post and how I didn't know how to write about them, but perhaps this question of repentance leads into them.
Firstly then, what is repentance?
My study Bible definition says,
The Greek is a compound word derived from meta, meaning 'after', suggesting some type of change, and nous, meaning 'mind'. The word strictly denotes a 'change of mind,' and connotes remorse for sin, accompanied by a desire to turn away from sin to God, for salvation.
How do we get this change of mind, remorse for sin, and desires towards God - this repentance? Is it something we can work up of ourselves? Do we just need a new attitude?
Paul writes to the Romans, '...the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance', and the link reference in Isaiah 30:18 tells us,'...therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you...'.
It is through the goodness and kindness of God that he patiently leads us into a place of repentance.
Acts 5:31 also tells us that repentance is a gift from God through Jesus, 'Him hath God exalted...to be a Prince and Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins' (Acts 5:31).
As a gift then, it is something we can ask God for, something to earnestly pray for - to be given a change of mind, true remorse for our sins, a desire to turn from them towards God. This very act suggests the Lord is working in you to lead you to that place of repentance.
BA Ramsbottom* quoted,
He told the story of an old man, a ruffian, who came to chapel special services year by year:
'Throughout the service he would weep, and at the end would say, "I know this is where I should be! I Know this is where I should be!" Then we would not see him for another year. One year he was not there; he had taken his own life. Tears, however many, without forsaking sin - that is not repentance'.
Repentance then is not a remorse for sins which doesn't bear any fruit - any change in your life.
Both Jesus and John the Baptist started their ministry with the words, 'Repent...'. It is of vital importance - following Jesus means you are turning from your old life of serving yourself and Satan, turning from your old sins, turning towards God, turning to Jesus for salvation.
So, after considering repentance let us return to these verses in Matthew 5 and apply them.
These sins which offend, these sins which you and I grieve over, are we turning from them?
Or, do we grieve over them but return to them the next time we think about them or are tempted to do them?
It may be an easier matter for you to stop some sin - perhaps it wasn't something you were that bothered about anyway - but these sins which are so close to you that they are like part of your body, how can you tare yourself from them? You know you shouldn't be doing them but to stop is as difficult and painful as plucking out your eye or chopping off your hand.
How then can you do it?
Let us return to the thought - have you really repented from that sin? Has there really been a 'change of mind' about doing it? Have you had true remorse, seen it for the sin it is, or do you secretly think that it isn't that bad... it's just something you know you shouldn't really do but it's not that harmful?
The Apostle Paul urges Timothy to 'purge himself...flee...avoid' various sinful people and sinful behaviours (2 Timothy 2:20-23), for 'let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity'.
Dear reader, these sins which 'offend' us, which we would rather not do, which perhaps even cause us distress after we indulge in them, let us lay before the Lord.
Perhaps we have even gone as far as putting practical things into place to help us avoid this sin - such as trying to avoid going where that sin occurs, but are we resting in our own strength to do so? Are we deceived by the lust in our heart for this sin which has not totally been subdued or removed by the Lord?
Let us come to our Almighty God, our great and powerful Saviour. Let us ask him to give us a real spirit of repentance to turn from these sins, so that we may be enabled to turn totally away from them as if they are removed from our body, and look towards Jesus.
As Paul writes, '...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us...looking unto Jesus' (Hebrews 12:1,2).
*Bible Doctrines by BA Ramsbottom, page 37
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