When we begin the Christian life we start with a lot of baggage that we have to remove before we come into a sound, full Christian life.  We have to cut many things out.  What “offends” or causes us to sin must be eliminated.  Paul in his letter to Titus says a bishop must be blameless, not given to wine or filthy lucre (money) and that there were Jews who subverted whole houses for filthy lucre's sake.  Women were to be sober, discreet, chaste, keepers at home, obedient to their husbands.  In short, modesty and self control were to rule the day that people could not have anything evil to say of you.  (Titus 1 and 2)  Paul also tells us not to give place to the devil and to abstain from the appearance of evil.  So when we are born again and ask Jesus into our heart we have a lot of work to do and it is not always easy.  From the music we listen to, to the clothes we wear, to our attachment to money and the pursuit of wealth our lives have to change.  Yet we are not left alone in this endeavor.  We can ask to receive the Holy Spirit who is our comforter and our advocate.  We can study to show ourselves approved of God, rightly dividing the word of truth, and we can seek the help and guidance of Christians who are mature and temperate.

            For all of us who live in the world there is as much to be subtracted as there is to be added.  Jesus tells the rich young ruler to sell what he has, give to the poor, and take up his cross if he wishes to be perfect or made complete.  The disciples left their boats, their jobs, and their families when they saw the Christ.  Yet the power to live a full Christian life resides with God.  Unless we receive salvation and receive the forgiveness of sins, unless we experience a Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and unless we determine to know the word of God, we may not reach our destiny in Christ.  The eye in this scripture is a good thing and yet our eye can be focused on the wrong things.  So Jesus is telling us there may be many things that are good which may hinder our spiritual growth.  But if we keep our sight on God he will guide us into the fullness of Christ which should be the desire of every Christian.  So do not be overly self derogatory, we were all there at some point and none of us have reached our destination yet.  Be content to work on change and growth and don't condemn yourself or anybody else for that matter.  We are all a work in progress. 

amen