Quote from Forum Archives on May 5, 2003, 3:53 pm

Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>

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The Burning Bush Devotional
(Over 8,000 subscribers in 75 countries)

05.05.03

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.

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 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 on 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 than
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. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the devotionals
on a non-profit basis with source credited.

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