Take Sin Seriously | Matthew 5:27-30

There's no way around it

Author

Caleb Lee
January 17, 2024

We’ve all told little white lies before.

“As long as it’s not hurting anyone…” Is usually the phrase used to justify them.

I don’t think that excuse will work with God though.

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Matthew 5:27-30

Again, we find Jesus taking the Law seriously. Even looking at someone with lustful intent has sinned against God.

But He doesn’t stop at that. He takes it a step further.

Obviously, Jesus isn’t recommending self-mutilation here. But He is demonstrating the seriousness of sin.

Sin against a Holy God isn’t something to be taken lightly. Just because we’ve received infinite grace through Jesus, it doesn’t give us a free pass to sin all we want. Every instance of sin is an abomination to God, no matter how “small” we consider it.

That doesn’t mean that we can somehow force ourselves to stop sinning.

But it does mean that we ought to pursue the Great Commandment to the best of our ability and do our best to avoid sin in the process.

37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 22:37-40

We’re not perfect. But luckily we have a perfect Savior who was willing to take on our imperfections and atone for our sins for us to have access to the Father.

Have a blessed Wednesday, friends.