Should we really pluck out our Eyes?
And don't forget to rip off that middle finger!!! Jesus was using an exaggeration to make a point--two points, actually:
Point 1: The illustration was used to point to those who would not believe in Him. If you are to stand before God on your own merit, not having the covering of Jesus Christ, then you had better cut off anything that might cause you to sin because you will have to be absolutely perfect. The only one who could justify himself before God would be one who could not see, hear, talk, think, or move.
Point 2: Do not allow anything to take your eyes off Jesus. Anything that keeps you from His saving power must be thrown off because He is our only hope.
Sin is destructive and nothing good can come from it. This matter can be summed up in one sentence: Avoid sin at all costs.
"And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:43-38).
