The Rebuild: Matthew 5-7ნიმუში

One of the most confronting things Jesus ever said is about hell. We often like to treat sin as though it’s a form of therapy—a way to feel better about ourselves. But Jesus declares that sin is so serious it would be better to cut off a part of our body that causes us to sin than to face the fury of God’s wrath.

While this passage isn’t meant to be taken literally (otherwise we’d be left with just an appendix!), we need to grasp the gravity of Jesus’ words. He raises the standard higher than we’re comfortable with. It’s not just about avoiding an affair; Jesus challenges us on even the subtle sins, like lingering over an Instagram post that stirs lust.

Here’s the good news: God doesn’t leave us to fight this battle alone. His will is for us to be sanctified, made holy, and transformed into the image of Christ. He equips us with His Holy Spirit, His Word, access to Him in prayer, and a community of believers to walk alongside us. Yes, we are saved by grace, but we are saved for a life of pursuing holiness and honour.

Today, ponder this: Lust is also the act of dishonouring or devaluing another human being. Yet God has always called His people to love Him, and love one another. Are there any particular thoughts you have or actions you do which dishonour God, or other people? Ask God for His forgiveness, giving thanks to Jesus for paying the ultimate price for our sins. Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to sanctify your heart, to make you more like Jesus today.