Choosing Grace, Not Bitterness

In review of Hebrews 12:15 it says, “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many”

Bottom Line:

Look out for each others so that none of us fails to receive God’s grace. Watch out so that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble or corrupt.

What this means to me:

Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God’s best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.

Today's passage comes from the 2nd half of Hebrews chapter 12. In it Paul talks of our call to listen to God.  Within that call we are to work at living in peace with a holy (set apart for special purpose) life. We are to look out for each other so that none of us fails to receive the grace of God. We are to watch out so that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble and corrupt us.

This means that if I’m still holding on to resentment, then I’m letting someone is control me. If I was to say, “You make me so mad”? What I’d be admitting at that point is, “You are controlling me.” What I’m learning is that the only way I get this type of person out of my mind and heart is to heal it with grace; God’s grace.

Today’s passage in Hebrews 12:15 says, “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many” (NIV).

A bitter person can poison surrounding relationships. Unfortunately bitterness is contagious, and it can actually become generational. Somebody has to break the chain, and it better be me. There’s only one way to break it: Heal it with grace.

If someone is missing out on God’s grace in their life, life makes them bitter. Bitterness tends to come because life isn’t fair. Sin is in the world and we live in a broken society. Life here on earth is not Heaven. As such evil people get away with evil things all the time. Life is just not fair.

Missing out on God’s grace is going to make you bitter.

Is forgiveness fair? Not in some senses, however it is not about fairness. It is not about justice. It’s about grace. I don’t forgive a person because it’s the fair thing to do. I forgive a person because it’s the right thing to do, and I don’t want my heart full of poison. I don’t want my heart to hold on to the hurt and the hate.

While forgiveness is free, it is not cheap. It cost Jesus his life. It cost God his Son. And as Jesus was dying on the cross, with his arms outstretched and the blood dripping down, he said, “Father, forgive them! They don’t know what they’re doing.” He was saying, “I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you.” He was saying, “They don’t deserve it. They don’t even know what they’re doing. But Father, forgive them.”

So as I’ve been studying, I am to leave justice to God. I am to heal any bitterness with his grace.

I think we live in world that thinks everything should be fair. When things aren’t fair, then usually some injustice is taking place. But I should keep in mind, it's not my job to retaliate in fairness. Jesus calls me to forgive and to let him bring ultimate justice.  Today, I’ll consider who I may be able to show grace to today, especially in situations that don’t seem fair.