BBD 02.04.17 A Radical Choice (Classic)
Posted by: theburningbushdevotional <theburningbushdevotional@...>
Classic from 2003
Burning Bush Devotional
04 February 2017
A Radical Choice
You have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not
commit adultery. But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her
has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes
you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for
you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into
hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from
you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than
for your whole body to be cast into hell. - Matthew 5:27-30 NKJV.
Aron Ralston is a mountain climber who has faced
adversity in the past. Just a few months before his latest test from nature, he
survived an avalanche that buried him and two friends on a Colorado mountain.
Aron, on a Saturday, went hiking (In 2003) into Blue John Canyon in Shadowlands
National Park in Utah. As Aron was descending into the canyon, an 800 to 1000
pound boulder fell, crushing his arm and pinning him. By Tuesday, he had run
out of water, and by Thursday he decided the only way to escape was to
amputate his own arm. Aron cut off his arm below the elbow with a pocketknife.
He then rappelled down a cliff, and walked a few miles before flagging down a
vacationing Dutch couple, who called for help. Aron is expected to recover from
his ordeal. Sgt Mitch Vetere of the Emery County Sheriff’s Office in Green
River, Utah said, “He’s pretty darn
tough. He wanted to live. He saved himself.”
Jesus talks of cutting off your hand, or plucking out
your eye, if they cause you to succumb to temptation. Most commentators do not
believe Jesus was speaking in literal terms. Most Christians and churches have
not interpreted this as being literal either; because we do not have eye
plucking services, or right hand removal services. But Jesus, in these vivid
statements, relates very powerfully the need to protect ourselves from the
ravages of sin; even when there is great personal cost involved.
Aron Ralston did save his life, but it was at a great cost.
However, it was the only choice Aron could see that he had, if he wanted to
continue living. If you are addicted to the use of illegal substances, it may
be that to save your life you will have to make a radical choice. You may need
to ask someone to help you, and then enter a treatment program for a
substantial length of time. To do such a thing may be like cutting off your
arm, but if you want to have life, it must be done. If you have other
addictions, the only way to be free of them will be through a radical change in
your life. It just depends on whether or not you want to really have life, or
just go through the motions of living.
If you decide that you are going to make that radical
change in your life, you will not be alone. Jesus will be with you, and will
empower you, to make the right choices that are needed. As the apostle Paul
said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens
me (Philippians 4:13).” Through the power of
God, you will be able to make the radical decisions and changes necessary to be
free of your addiction. Aron Ralston wanted to live - do you?
Copyright © 2003-2016. Ed
Wrather. The Burning Bush website has been online since January 31, 1998. On
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