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Monday 11 February 2013

Mark 9:42-50 - Hell - a place to be avoided

The "whoever is not against us is for us" injunction is not a licence for an easy going approach. We need to be careful that we do not cause anyone who belongs to Jesus to fall away, for this will bring severe judgement upon us. This is also a counter to anyone who thinks it is all "gentle Jesus meek and mild". Jesus spoke an awful lot about judgment, and in the harshest terms.
Lest we then start judging others or blaming others for our own sins ("he made me do it"), Jesus immediately warns us to make sure that we deal with sin in our own life in the firmest terms. If something causes us to stumble we are to take action to stop it. The bits about cutting off feet and gouging out eyes is hyperbole, but it does mean that we are not to mess about with temptation. It is wise not to stay in the same house or flat alone with your girlfriend. If something causes financial temptation, avoid it.
There is a severe judgment coming. Hell is real. There are all sorts of silly arguments about the nature of hell. The truth is that no one knows exactly what hell will be like, but there is no way that we want to go there. It is to be avoided at all costs.
More positively, we have a function in this world, to be salt to the world, bringing Godly flavour. We need to ensure that we maintain our godliness.

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