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AN OFFENDING MEMBER
TO oppose and persecute the people of God is to make God himself our enemy; nor can we cast a stumbling-block in their way without aggravating thereby our own condemnation [Note: ver. 42.]. But it is not only by open profaneness that we endanger our salvation; we are no less obnoxious to the dipleasure of God if we retain any secret sin. Hence our Lord gives us the most solemn and repeated admonition to cut off every occasion of sin. In discoursing on his words we shall consider,
I. His injunctions—
There are many things which prove to us an occasion of sin—
[We are too ready to be drawn aside by our worldly interests. How often have they led men to profane the Sabbath, to engage in unlawful occupations, to practise deceit and falsehood, and in a thousand other ways to violate the dictates of their conscience! How has an undue regard to them deterred many from embracing the Gospel and following the Lord fully [Note: Mar_10:22.]! And how many have been turned aside by them from the truth of God, even after they had maintained a long and honourable profession [Note: 2Ti_4:10.]! Carnal affections also frequently prove a very fatal snare. How many spiritual people have been led to connect themselves for life with an unconverted person, through an unwillingness to thwart their natural inclinations, and that too, in opposition to the most express commands of God [Note: 2Co_6:14; 2Co_6:17.]? How many through an excess of attachment have idolized the creature while they possessed it, and murmured against God the instant it was removed? Need we add sensual appetites to this black catalogue? who, that knows the danger of an impure look [Note: Mat_5:28-29.], must not tremble?]
These, as soon as ever we discover their baneful tendency, should be cut off—
[We are far from condemning these things as bad in themselves. Our carnal appetites and affections were given us to be indulged, and our worldly interests indispensably require a considerable degree of care and attention; but when they become stumbling-blocks to us and betray us into sin, then they become sinful in themselves, and must instantly be cut off. Nor must any consideration whatever induce us to spare them. If they be dear to us as an“eye,” or useful and apparently necessary to us as a“hand” or“foot,” we must sacrifice them without pity or reserve. Different situations indeed call for much prudence and discretion in the execution of this duty. We must not lose sight of meekness and humility when we are exercising a necessary firmness and self-denial. Nevertheless we must not tamper with our consciences, but fulfil our duty, and leave events to God.]
To aid us in obeying our Lord’s injunctions let us consider,
II. The arguments with which he enforced them—
Men in general are averse to hear any thing of the terrors of the Lord; but St. Paul insisted on them in order to persuade men; and our Lord himself frequently urged them on his hearers as inducements to obedience. The arguments with which he enforced his precepts in the text are most solemn and weighty:
1. God will surely deal with men hereafter according to their conduct in this life—
[This truth is not merely asserted, but assumed in the text as incontrovertible and undoubted: nor is there any truth whatever that is more agreeable to reason, or more abundantly confirmed by the sacred oracles [Note: Rom_8:13. Gal_6:7-8.]. And can any thing be a stronger argument for self-denial? Surely if eternal happiness or misery must be the issue of our conduct, we should diligently consider our ways, and put away the accursed thing that would ruin our souls. If we had no future account to give of our conduct, we might say, “Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die;” but, if we believe the Scriptures, we shall rather labour to act with a view to the future judgment.]
2. Heaven, notwithstanding all the trials we may endure in our way to it, is infinitely better than hell, whatever we may enjoy in our way thither—
[It is certain that the mortification of sin is often painful, like the cutting off a member from the body. But it is no less certain that that pain is followed by much peace and joy. But supposing the road to heaven were ever so thorny, will not eternal glory be a sufficient recompence for our toil? And supposing the gratifications of sin to be without alloy (though it will be found that the delicious draught is mixed with much gall) will they not be dearly purchased with the loss of the soul? Will not the torments of hell be greater than the pleasures of sin? The worms that may feed upon the body will die when our flesh is consumed; and the fire that may consume our body will be extinguished at last for want of fuel: but “the worm that will gnaw our conscience will never die; nor will the fire of God’s wrath be ever quenched,” because we shall be preserved as food for the one and fuel for the other to all eternity. What can sin offer us that can compensate for such a doom? Surely then this argument should induce us to mortify our most beloved lusts. Our Lord repeats it thus frequently, that it may the more deeply impress our minds. Let us then weigh it with the attention it deserves; and act as those who feel its force and importance.]
Infer—
1. In what a lamentable state are the world at large!
[Men will persuade themselves that they are in the way to heaven, even while they are neglecting many duties, and committing many actual sins. But can they derive much encouragement from the words of our text? o that they did but credit the declarations of our Lord! Shall they, who retain only one bosom lust, be in danger of “hell-fire,” and they be safe who live in the allowed commission of many sins? Have they no reason to dread the worm that dieth not, and the fire that is not quenched? Shall they set up their idols in their heart, and God not answer them according to the multitude of their idols [Note: Eze_14:4.]? Would to God that we could weep over such poor deluded creatures; that “our head were waters, and our eyes a fountain of tears to run down for them day and night!” May God give them just views of the eternal world! And may they be so persuaded by these terrors of the Lord as to flee immediately from the wrath to come, and to lay hold on eternal life!]
2. What need have the professors of religion to watch over their own hearts!
[It is no easy thing to know whether we be freed from our besetting sin. We have many pleas to urge in extenuation of its guilt, and many specious names whereby to conceal its malignity. How were even the Disciples themselves led captive by ambition and revenge, when they were least aware of their subjection to such evil principles [Note: ver. 35. Luk_9:54.]! Thus it may be with us also. How then should we search and try our hearts to find out our besetting sins! And how should we cry to God, “Search me, O God, and try the ground of my heart, &c. [Note: Psa_139:23-24.]!” Let all then who name the name of Christ be jealous of themselves. And, “laying aside every weight, and the sin that doth most easily beset them, let them run their race with patience.”]
3. What reason have we to be thankful for the covenant of grace!
[Whatsoever God requires of us, he has also promised to us in the covenant of grace. Has he commanded us to part with every sin, however precious or profitable it may be? He has also promised, that “sin shall not have dominion over us [Note: Rom_6:14.].” He has pledged his word not only to forgive the sins of the penitent, but to “cleanse them from all unrighteousness [Note: 1Jn_1:9.].” Let those then who tremble at the injunctions in the text, look up to Jesus for help. Let them plead the promises which he has made. And doubtless they shall find his “grace sufficient for them.” “They shall do all things through Christ strengthening them.” This is the portion of all who embrace that covenant, which “is ordered in all things and sure [Note: 2Sa_23:5.].” Let every believer then rejoice in that covenant; and “hold fast the beginning of his confidence steadfast unto the end.”]