As we continue to set the stage for our future by building level paths to walk rather than uneven paths we will see a foundational surface in our life start to appear upon which we can run the race of life.
THE SECOND THING IN LIFE TO AVOID as we strengthen ourselves for this run in life so that we can find true fulfillment and learn to experience joy in all things, is to “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. ” This is from Hebrews 12:15. In the plant world, a bitter root causes bitter fruit.
Hebrews 12:15 (TNIV)
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.
There are two things I see here. One is that the writer exhorts us to help our brothers and sisters to help each other by “seeing to it” that no one falls short. We are to help each other, encourage each other to discard bitterness and avoid it’s growing so deep in our lives that it produces a bitter fruit that defiles everything we do.
Have you ever known someone who harbored a deep bitterness that is easy to see in so many of their relationships and actions?
When we harbor bitterness inside it marinates and becomes a part of our fiber. It is important that we ask God daily to help us rid ourselves of bitterness and discontent. When we are bitter, it affects others around us too. They eat of our bitterness.
Forgiveness is they key to ridding ourselves of bitterness.
Ephesians 4:32 (TNIV)
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”Colossians 3:13 (TNIV)
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
The Greek word often translated as “forgive” is apoluo [ap-ol-oo-o]. This word is has other meanings: “release”, “put away”, “send away”, “let go”, “to set free–to detain no longer”, “to loose the bonds” (as in when someone is a prisoner). To be set free is to have strength in our lives.
The Bible talks about sins of the father…I have pondered this and have come to recognize a truth here. When a father [or parent] misleads his family, abuses or causes pain in his/her family, the effects are often felt for generations. It’s not that his sins are attributed to the child, but that often the effects of those sins affect the child.
If we have been taught or raised to hold onto bitterness and unforgiveness, it is important that we recognize that we must break those chains. We must avoid bitterness on the path so that we can pass on to our children the path to true fulfillment true joy in life.
May you set even paths before you by avoiding the uneven paths of bitterness in your life.