relationships (Matthew 18:7-35) Radical Change is Required

(Matthew 18:7-35)

7 “Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to the person through whom the stumbling block comes!

8 “And if your hand or your foot is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; it is better for you to enter life maimed or without a foot, than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fiery hell.

10 “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

Being sovereign (omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent), God sees, hears and knows everything.  God has always been and will always be.  He is eternal, and He created all things, including angels.  Just like mankind, it didn't take long for them to make a choice as to whether or not they wanted to follow and serve the Lord.  Unlike mankind, their decision was made final long ago.

We don't know how many angels or demons there actually are, but from the entire Bible, we know that there are a lot, about one third being demons (fallen angels), and two thirds being angels, and that there is a spiritual battle.  While they have quite a bit of power, they are not sovereign, and they cannot do anything without God either sending angels on a particular mission, or allowing demons to destroy, damage, distort or mislead.  (If you are interested, here is a link to my excel with notes from the spiritual battle Bible devotional readthrough) 

What does this all mean for us?  Well, God doesn't need a report from the angels to know that we have done something wrong, or that something wrong is being done to us.  Jesus gave the people this image of angels being present, probably because some people are fixated on the spiritual realm.  But God does not want us to worry about anyone or anything!  He desires that we keep our eyes fixed on Him, in a personal relationship.  Let God worry about where He sends His angels and/or how He protects us from demons who are only out to keep people from going to God!  Meanwhile, we are to trust what the Lord tells us, because He knows what is best, He has a plan, and He gives all of His children purpose, direction and help.

It is not a sin to be tempted, but if we begin to dwell on the temptations that we face, that becomes lust, which is a sin.  And of course, if we act on the temptations, that becomes sin.  Simply trying to NOT sin in our own efforts rarely works.  One has to replace a bad habit with a good habit.  Still, in our own efforts, this can be extremely difficult.  And the radical allegory suggested above, doesn't mean that we are to literally mutilate ourselves.  It is to repent and confess our sins to the Lord, which includes us turning away - staying away - from those things, those triggers - that will drag us back into the mud and mire.  

Repenting and confessing our sins really does set us free, as it allows the Lord to change us from the inside out.  And as we continue asking and allowing the Lord to work in us, for us and through us, in His strength, we will experience spiritual peace and victory in Him.  As well, in our walk with God, our desire will be to serve Him and others.  Living in His will is to be sharing the gospel message, mentoring, edifying and encouraging others to embrace a close relationship with the Lord... with everyone, including and especially with the weak, the vulnerable, the children!  

If we are not doing this, but instead, living for our own desires, in hypocrisy, this will become a stumbling block to those around us who are vulnerable.  This is really doing the work of Satan.  When we are being negative, doing and saying things that divides Christian groups, we are making Satan so very happy.  We are also displeasing the Lord, and grieving and quenching His Holy Spirit.  

Yet, God is so good!  Because He is loving and patient and full of grace, while we cannot lose our salvation, He will discipline us.  And this is not fun.  But this should not drive us further away from God, it should inspire us to run back to Him!  His arms are always open and waiting!!!  So, rather than living for our sins, living for God is so much better!!!  Not just for us, but for all those around us.  Yes, we will still struggle, but our testimony will be stronger and not hypocritical - if - we continue striving in God's will, and when we do sin, we continue confessing and running back to the Lord!

(Hebrews 4:14-16)  Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let’s hold firmly to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.