Bitterness - A root that must be plucked out

"Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled" Hebrews 12:15

Today’s scripture passage reminds us that when we fail to live in God’s grace, we may allow a root of bitterness to establish itself in our lives.  This bitterness could be toward others, toward God, or toward the seeming judgment or punishment God may allow to come our way.  Perhaps the circumstances in life did not go the way we wanted; we avoid people or situations because the hurt feelings come back to tell us the others are completely wrong.  We fail to forgive others.  If we allow that hurt to take root in our lives, it will affect not only ourselves but it will spread like a cancer to our friends and family.

---

One of the reasons for bitterness is that we perceive a wrong or injustice has been done to us, or our family, or our church and we want the other person to make it right (or if they can’t make it right, admit they were wrong and feel the same pain we feel).  Such results must be left with the Lord and His dealings with His children.  We are not called to right our perceived wrongs; it is true there are many different and difficult circumstances that we could not begin to relate to.  Nonetheless, forgiven people forgive others.  As difficult as it is, God’s ways are always the same:

“ 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:31-32


Have you been forgiven of your sins?  Click here.


Do you live in Berkshire County, Massachusetts?  If you do not have a home church, consider visiting us this Sunday.  Click here.