Written by written by Glenn Giles Wednesday, 26 November 2008 00:00
In Hebrews 12:14-15, the Word of God states:
"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many" (NIV).
In the Bible "peace" is not just the absence of war nor simply lack of outward violence. It is more. It involves a heart that has no negative attitudes or desires to be absent from another's presence. Here in Hebrews we are told to "make every effort" to be at peace because it is this peace in our hearts through Jesus which allows us to be holy and to "see the Lord." Without it we will miss the grace of God. One of the key causes of people missing the grace of God: harboring a "bitter root." Bitterness involves distaste of someone. It is manifested in animosity, reproach, cynicism, coldness and anger. This bitterness usually begins with some type of relationship that goes sour. If not dealt with, it grows and causes trouble hurting many people. Lack of this peace results and the people involved become distant without any relational harmony between them. This lack of peace causes those with it to miss seeing the Lord. Harboring a bitter root toward anyone is thus a salvation issue. We must rid ourselves of all bitterness if we are to see the Lord.
Do you or I harbor a bitter root? If so, are we willing to identify it and get rid of it? Below are some marks of bitter roots that will help identify and rid ourselves of this sin:
"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many" (NIV).
In the Bible "peace" is not just the absence of war nor simply lack of outward violence. It is more. It involves a heart that has no negative attitudes or desires to be absent from another's presence. Here in Hebrews we are told to "make every effort" to be at peace because it is this peace in our hearts through Jesus which allows us to be holy and to "see the Lord." Without it we will miss the grace of God. One of the key causes of people missing the grace of God: harboring a "bitter root." Bitterness involves distaste of someone. It is manifested in animosity, reproach, cynicism, coldness and anger. This bitterness usually begins with some type of relationship that goes sour. If not dealt with, it grows and causes trouble hurting many people. Lack of this peace results and the people involved become distant without any relational harmony between them. This lack of peace causes those with it to miss seeing the Lord. Harboring a bitter root toward anyone is thus a salvation issue. We must rid ourselves of all bitterness if we are to see the Lord.
Do you or I harbor a bitter root? If so, are we willing to identify it and get rid of it? Below are some marks of bitter roots that will help identify and rid ourselves of this sin:
- Unsurrendered anger toward and refusal to forgive someone.
- Hurts that capture our mind and volition such that we can hardly focus on anything else.
- Wanting revenge.
- Feelings of unfairness that won't go away.
- Looking for ways for the other person to fail.
- Wishing in your heart that something bad would happen to another person.
- Inability to wish good or blessing on a person.
- When you think of a certain person it brings distaste to your mouth.
- Wishing someone was dead.
- Not wanting to get together or be in the same room with the other person.
- Holding a grudge.
- Building up a mountain of issues against another person, continually adding one grievance upon another.
- Choosing not to turn the other cheek toward the person.
- Giving up on, abandoning or leaving the person or group just so that you don't have to deal with an issue or be with them any longer.
- Washing your hands of them hoping they will go to hell
Do you or I have any of these? If so, may we determine today to destroy those bitter roots in our hearts so we can be at peace with all men and see the Lord.
May we allow the peace of Christ to genuinely rule in our hearts and experience the life God wants for us all!
Weekly Newsletter
2010 Calendars
Who's online?
We have 12 guests online
