Afflicted in Every Way

 

~~~ 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 ~~~ Psalm 116 ~~~ Matthew 5:27-32 ~~~

 

The Gospel passage from Matthew seems a little extreme initially.

Cut off your hand, committing adultery with your eyes,

marrying someone previously divorced

also considered an act of adultery...

So what does all of this mean for us today?

 

I think we are being admonished to be vigilant;

some sinful aspects of our life are less obvious than others.

 

Cutting a hand off or choosing to walk around blindfolded

will certainly not guarantee you will be free of sin.

Most of the time our sins begin first within our own hearts.

We are damaged merchandise when it comes to sin,

but we can practice conditioning our hearts to what is good.

 

If we practice being aware to the presence of God in our heart;

we will have more strength to avoid those occasions of sin.

 

The opportunity to sin never leaves

us whether we are alone or with others.

Certainly any part of our human flesh has the potential...

the potential for either sinfulness or holiness.

What matters is the state of your heart...your mental attitude.

Because we are basically weak it is easier to sin than to avoid sin.

 

We must be strong in our resolve

 to renounce sin in whatever form it may present itself.  

Putting God first above earthly pleasures is not easy.

 

Too many times it is our tongue that gets us into closest contact with sin.

Matthew falls short of suggesting you should cut off your tongue

 if it causes you to sin.

This is where we must remain cognizant of the words

we are using and the tone of our voice. 

 

 

St. Paul says we are but earthen vessels;

implying that we are fragile...

capable of being broken.

He says we carry within this earthen vessel the very death of Jesus.

For if we carry the death of Jesus we also carry his life.

 

Which will it be?

We are afflicted in every way...

 

What will dominate within our soul?

...always carrying about in the Body the dying of Jesus...

 

Do we truly want life to flourish in our heart or

will we tolerate the stench of death.

...so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.

 

Sin decays the soul.

The foul odor will permeate your entire being....

if you let it remain unchecked.

 

O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son (daughter) of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.

 

Bestow your grace upon me O Lord, so that I may care for the holiness of my soul.

Help me, O Lord to make your presence a reality in all parts of my life.

 

I am ready to receive your blessing and you grace.