Dear Friends,

We live In an age where moral values and attitudes are all topsy turvey. We are still shocked and appalled at children being cruelly and brutally treated by their parents, and other such awful sins; but as a whole we treat sin rather lightly. There is a wide chasm between how God views sin, as the Bible reveals, and how we do. Some things are not even called wrong any more, and many things felt to be wrong are not felt to be serious enough to avoid too rigorously.

When I read Jesus’ words In Mark chapter nine and verses 42 to 48 I find he places a much more serious view on the whole matter.

Jesus starts with the matter of causing little ones to sin. Probably we may pass over this as not applicable to us, supposing he is only refering to those who abuse children sexually or teach them to steal; but Jesus uses the all embracing word ‘sin’ which covers all that falls short of his glory.

Further we don’t realise and take to heart that all our actions, good or bad, are like ripples on a pond after a stone has been thrown in. The effects of all our actions are like ripples on water; they spread out and effect others all around us. We may have no intention of harming or influencing anyone else, but we do. Sin is so awful that we don’t only destroy our own souls but we help to destroy the souls other people.

Jesus goes on in this passage in Mark’s Gospel, to give a view of sin and wrong doing, that is altogether shattering to our light attitudes to it. Jesus portrays sin of any kind as an awful plague that destroys. Like cyanide kills the body, so sin destroys the soul. As a deadly virus is to the body, so sin is to the soul. Sin is in fact far worse. Cyanide or a deadly virus effects only the body and our temporal life, but sin effects our eternal condition.

In a word Jesus tells us that sin destroys the soul in hell. The awfulness of this is brought out by Jesus in the phrase ^"where the fire never goes out" in verse 43, and in verse 48 where he says "their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched". In Luke chapter 16 and verse 24 Jesus tells of the experience of a man in hell. He cries, "I am In agony In this fire". This man wanted relief and there was no relief. He wanted to escape but he is told (Luke 16 v 26) that there is a great chasm preventing him forever.

Jesus seeks to impress upon us the seriousness of any sin by saying it is better to cut off your hand, or foot, or blind yourself if it will help to avoid sin. How powerful is our looking and seeing in leading us to think and do wrong things. The pain and handicap that physical loss may be is nothing to that which sin causes to the soul. Jesus speaks like this to impress on us the need to seek deliverance.

Our great personal need is to be delivered from sin. We may feel the force of Christ’s words here in Mark 9, and I hope we do. We will then seek to do something about it. As soon as we do we realise our difficulties. We could go as far as cutting off a hand, or plucking out an eye, but we would still find two things. Firstly, the difficulty to sustain the serious view of sin Jesus gives; and secondly, to overcome the temptations, desires and weakness to sin that Is in us. Further we shall begin to be worried about the problem of the sins we have committed and how to have their guilt and condemnation taken away.

Who can deliver us? The Apostle Paul gives the answer in Romans 7 v 24,25. "What a wretched man I am!", he cries, "who will deliver me from the body of this death?’ His triumphant answer to this cry for deliverance is "Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord,"

The guilt and punishment of sin - death and hell - are removed by Jesus. Paul writes again In Romans 6 v 23 - "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." God freely forgives and gives eternal life to all who apply to Christ for mercy, because Jesus has taken our place and died, suffering hell for us.

Jesus also gives us new life. We are a new creation when Jesus saves us (2 Corinthians 5 v 17). We find we begin to hate sin, even the sins our body and mind still find attractive. We find also that there is a new power - the power of a new affection. We love Jesus and want to please him, and we find old things passing away.

For your eternal souls sake seek Jesus now. Cry to him for mercy. Ask him to save you and deliver you. Then when you have, keep applying to him for grace and help that sin may not have dominion over you.

Your servant for Christ’s sake,