Posted on 12/16/2008 4:23:19 PM PST by WhatNot
Hebrews 12:15
See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
In business and life the opportunity to harbor bitterness for a wrong suffered is great. We are given plenty of opportunities to grow bitter from relationships that bring hurt and pain. The writer of the Hebrews passage above admonishes us not to miss the grace of God so that we won't take up bitterness as a response to life's pain. He cautions us against this because he knows that a bitter root grows and grows until it eventually defiles many others through a wake of bitterness. If bitterness is allowed to take root, we become imprisoned to it. God's grace will no longer have as great an effect in our lives. We become ineffective, insensitive, and spiritually dead. We can even become physically ill from it. God does not live in bitterness. He lives in grace. He has provided grace for every person to walk in.
One day I was challenged to deal with an individual who hurt me terribly. I was faced with a decision. Would I choose bitterness, or would I choose grace? Oh, how my natural tendency was to choose bitterness. But God provided the courage to choose grace. With that grace came freedom-a freedom to love and even accept the person who was the source of such pain.
This is the real place where Christ's power is most revealed. We cannot live without His supernatural grace. Are you in need of grace today? It is there for the receiving. It will take courage to accept it and walk in it. This will be your step to freedom.
That, or I could hurt them back so I wouldn’t have bitterness because we’d be even. Wait!! Where’d that thought come from? Satan, get thee behind me.
Amen & Amen!!!!
For many years I had heard, and sang the hymn, “Amazing Grace.” It was recent as last year that I really heard (with spiritual ears):
“Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;....” (verse 2a)
We can relate to: (Proverbs 16:6) “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged; and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.”
“.....knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4c)
Two sayings (paraphrased here) have guided me and allowed me to forgive, most of the time: (1) The test of life is to see if you can, like Christ, partake of the bitter cup without becoming bitter yourself. (2) Bitterness is a poison you swallow, hoping your enemy will die.
These are the passages of scripture that come to my mind after reading this devotion. They have helped me and are still helping me to live bitter-free unto God.
Mark 11:26
26 But if ye do not forgive , neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
KJV
Rom 12:18-21
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
KJV
1 Peter 2:19-23
19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
KJV
1 Peter 3:4
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
KJV
1 Peter 3:11-12
11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace , and ensue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
KJV
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