The Dangers of Habitual Sin

# 558 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 9:43 "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched--

First of all know that Jesus is NOT advocating maiming our bodies to keep us from sinning. It's our hearts that are the problem, not our members.

The word “sin” here is the same word used for “stumble” in the preceding verse, and it means deadly trap. There is only one deadly trap and that is disbelief. (Rejection of Jesus as the Son of God and the only way to heaven) It is unbelief alone that condemns one to hell.

But, Jesus is warning us here about the dangers of habitual sin, because habitual sin CAN lead to the hardened heart which commits the deadly sin of rejecting God.

No wonder the writer of Hebrews tells us to “exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be HARDENED THROUGH THE DECEITFULNESS OF SIN (Heb 3:!3)

What are we to be exhorting one another to? Dealing with our sin! I exhort you today, DEAL WITH YOUR SIN! Receive God's gift of repentance. Allow the Holy Spirit to produce godly sorrow in your heart because you have sinned against a holy God. Then confess your sin to Him, receive His promised forgiveness, and allow your sins of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, to be cast alongside the others in God's Sea of forgetfulness.

Father, repentance, confession of sin, and receiving Your promised forgiveness is the rhythm of life for Your children. Help me to never get lax in this regard. Help me to humbly come before You every day with godly sorrow over my sins, and grant me the peace of knowing I am forgiven.