QUESTION: Does Mark 9:43-48 teach that we must literally cut off our hands if they offend or cause us to stumble?
ANSWER: No! Christ is simply teaching that whatever the personal cost, suffering, loss or difficulty, His followers are to cut off those sins that come through temptations which are often caused by, or result from, the use of the hand, foot, or eye. Christians have been bought with a price (the blood of Christ). Therefore, our souls and bodies (and all of it’s parts), which belong to Him, are to be used to His glory; not in the sins of this world (I Corinthians 6:20)!