“And if your right hand is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell” (Matthew 5:30).

Jesus moves from what we see that tempts us to sin to what we do that causes us to sin.  What you do in this world matters.  I am not talking about your occupation but about the things you do in the hiddenness of your heart.  If you have love for others, as our Lord commands, you will do things for them.  If you have desire only for yourself, everything will eventually be shown to be done for yourself alone.

Lord, I do know how to be selfish.  I do know how to think only of myself.  I do not want to live this way.  Remind me, Holy Spirit, as I walk this day, to keep my mind upon Your prompting.  Lead me in Your goodness and mercy to do all I need to do so that I may learn how to stay on the path of faithfulness.  Guide me in the way You know I need to go so that my actions match the words of my lips and the meditations of my heart.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the grace I need.  You are good and gracious, and You are always with me.  In You I have hope.  Lead me in that hope so that I may now and always walk according to Your goodness and mercy.  Keep me from walking the broad way of destruction in order that I may humbly walk with You wherever You lead.  Guide me today, my Lord, and help me to keep my focus upon You.  Amen.

“Now if your right eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell” (Matthew 5:29).

Jesus is not asking us to maim ourselves, but reminding us that if we take our faith seriously, there is going to be a cost.  Do you consider anything in this life more valuable than your faith in the Lord?  Too many put the Lord in the category of the fingernail.  Cut that off if you need to.  But the Lord tells us that there is nothing more important than what He is doing for us.

Lord, I am with You and You are with me.  Guide me, Lord, so that in You alone do I see my hope and future.  Lead me to live into this life You give, no matter the cost, and pay whatever price I need to pay to accomplish all that needs to be done.  In my humanity, Lord, I have a hard time imagining being without parts of my body, but I see those around me who are without, and they are doing just fine.

Lord, not that I want to lose an eye or any other body part but help me to come to the place where I am willing to do whatever it takes to follow You in all my ways.  Guide me in Your goodness to see that in You alone is my hope.  Help me to live for You today and walk in the goodness of Your grace and mercy.  Lord, I want to be with You forever.  Guide me to do all You give me to do so that this may become true.  Amen. 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27).

When the Psalmist says, “Create in me a clean heart and a right spirit within me,” he was not talking about looking good.  He was talking about what goes on in the heart.  We all have things going on within us that are more wicked than another whom we might accuse, who did some outward act.  A murderer murders once.  One who murders in their heart, is a serial murderer.  Sin inside is just as bad as sin acted out.

Lord, I do have many things that have gone on in my heart which only You and I know about.  You are telling me that my inward life is every bit as important as my outward life.  Lead me  away from pretending to be good in order that I might practice that which is right and true.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to be honest with myself so that the Holy Spirit can make my heart clean.

Lord Jesus, I often say clean me up, but inwardly I am really saying, “but not yet.”  I have a spirit in me that is unchaste and sees things selfishly, looking upon my neighbor as a thing.  Guide me, dear Savior, in Your goodness to live into my life for which You gave Your life in order that I would be able to obtain true life.  Guide me by grace in the upward path of becoming more like You each day.  Thank You, Lord, for confronting me honestly so that I may truly be saved.  Amen.

“Come to good terms with your accuser quickly, while you are with him on the way to court, so that your accuser will not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will not be thrown into prison.  Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last quadrans” (Matthew 5:25-26).

How often does a sin, which in one sense may be a small one, become something much larger because we will not repent?  Sadly, pride often gets in the way, and we do not admit our own fault.  When this happens, what could have been simply resolved becomes a much larger problem.  Which is better to say, “I am always good,” or “Lord, I too have sins and I need to learn how to repent and do better?”

Eventually, we shall all stand before a judge, some on this earth, but ultimately before our Lord and Savior.  Do not live in avoidance, but confess your sins, acknowledging your fault, and seeking forgiveness for all.  We each will pay the price for our actions.  Do not hide behind pretense but live in truth.  The Lord will lead you and guide you in all your ways.  Lean on Him and not your own understanding.

Lord, help me err on the side of charity.  If I know that I have offended another, guide me through repentance to be quick to confess, slow to blame, and always have a heart of charity.  You know where I am and the issues I have.  Lead me in Your goodness to do what is right now and always.  Lead me in the direction of reconciliation with those whom I have harmed.  Lead me in the way of love and faith. Amen.