The Root of Bitterness Hides The Fruit Grace Provided

My grandfather was a cattle farmer, my dad was a cattle farmer and I recently became a farmer. Purchased my first potted strawberry plant from Home Depot for sixteen dollars and have been diligently watering the plant in my back yard daily. So far, I have successfully grown three delicious, mouthwatering, strawberries. Before you get too impressed with my farmer skills, the plant came with two strawberries almost completely ripe for the picking. Two of my children helped me eat the strawberries as I took a knife and split them evenly amongst the three of us, serving them on a plate. The sweetness was beautiful and unreal compared to store-bought strawberries. We laughed as we realized these strawberries took us weeks to grow and cost us so much for so little fruit.

Where we live it has been raining a lot lately. The weeds are growing faster than the grass or plants. The Lord reminded me of Hebrews 12:14-17

14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

 

The Pharisees closely stood before Jesus, who was absolutely perfect love and could not see grace or truth because of the root of bitterness in their heart. Christians with the root of bitterness can refuse to rid themselves of this pattern in relationships. “No one can see the Lord” in other Christians that they know if they have the root of bitterness towards them. WHY? Because bitterness changes the lens of our perception.

In verse 14 we see the answer to uproot bitterness, that Christians are to “strive” for peace. This is not talking about our relationship with God. We have an eternal covenant of peace through Christ Jesus that we can rest and not strive in, this verse is talking about our relationship with people. When the root of bitterness is planted by the enemy in us, the world’s view of grace in us is turned upside down and they cannot see the fruit grace intended. What they see is the “root of bitterness” growing upward at surface level and the fruit of the spirit is hidden below when a plant is upside down in bitterness. In other words, a believer has the gift of righteousness inside but the fruit of righteousness is hidden by bitterness.  Is the writer of Hebrews saying those with the root of bitterness can’t obtain God’s grace? Listen grace is the person, Jesus Christ. The answer to overcoming sin is receiving His grace. God will not withhold grace to sinners. Again the context of this verse is about earthly relationships and warning believers to not sell our earthly and family relationships (inheritance) because of this root of bitterness just like Esau did.

“Well, Brandon, all I need is Jesus!” You are correct when talking of a relationship with the Father and to enter Heaven. It is not Biblical nor possible to live a Godly life without relationships in the Body of Christ. This is the inheritance (Christian relationships) the enemy wants you and I to sell. Satan was stripped of power and authority by Jesus in His death and resurrection (Colossians 2:15), so His weapons today are lying and accusing Christians (Revelation 12:10). Why would Satan want to plant bitterness in Christians? So they uproot relationships intended by God to be a blessing. I have watched husbands and wives cry as they lost their spouses to bitterness. So often those tears cannot change the fact they sold their birthright. I have watched Christian fathers cry over their sons and daughters who won’t speak to them for years because of bitterness. If the enemy can create a pattern in our lives of receiving bitterness without striving for peace, the results are devastating to the Body of Christ.

Ephesians 1:16-18

¹⁶ I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,¹⁸ having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

 

Notice that the word “riches of his inheritance” is in the saints! Why would God supply all our needs according to His riches when He hid his riches in the saints? Maybe because God knew that Christians might believe the lie from the enemy that they could isolate themselves, and be okay with just them and Jesus (Proverbs 18:1). Well, Brandon, I forgave them and walked away. This is the world’s definition of forgiveness but not what Christ did for you and I. Jesus forgave all your past, present, and future sins (Colossians 2:13) and will never leave you nor forsake you, even when you are bitter towards Him, His love remains the same. Freely you can receive grace from Jesus any time anywhere. What if we freely gave grace to other believers as well to uproot the weeds of bitterness in our life? Then the world would see the fruit of righteousness and not miss out on the same grace we all need!

For more videos on this subject visit: The Root of Bitterness

http://www.graceforeternity.com

 

Wired For Worship

I play golf usually twice a year and all it takes is one good drive (one out of eighteen) and I’m ready to go professional. When I bought my first pair of golf shoes I knew it was getting serious. You see you can’t wear golf shoes anywhere but the golf course. Why? You can but they are designed with spikes and would tear up your home or work floors. Besides everyone knows golf shoes are set aside for golf!

The word holy means set apart. You are already holy because the Holy One lives inside you. (1 Corinthians 1:30) The Apostle Paul said that our bodies should reflect that.

Romans 12:1

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

The word “worship” in the Greek means “kiss”.  There is an intimacy between us and God when we know our bodies are not our own but His and set apart for worship.

Did you know there are tremendous positive side effects from kissing?

According to some medical reports, kissing increases oxytocin (calming chemical for the body). It also increases endorphins (the body feel good chemical). It also increases dopamine for those trying to break the habit of phone addiction. According to Dental Health Magazine, “deep kissing increases the flow of saliva, which helps to keep the mouth, teeth, and gums healthy….you’re aiding your body in the fight against infection.”

So worship (kissing) to God has great side effects! You are wired for worship, set apart! Take time today to be intimate with Him and enjoy the benefits of worshipping Him

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Seek First His Kingdom

For years our favorite game in the house with the children was “hide and go seek”. When the kids would laugh so hard because they found me it brought joy to the entire home. When they were younger, I would purposely give my hiding position away so they could find me easier. If we go back even further to their baby days, the game of “peek a boo” was a favorite in the home as well. There is something joyful abounding when dad is hidden and then found by his children.

Jesus was addressing the worries and stress of the people around Him. Pointing to how His Father clothes the lilies of the field and feeds the birds of the air. Then Jesus gives the solution to stress and worry. To seek what is hidden!

Matthew 6:33 

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

What is the kingdom of God? I’m glad you asked! Let’s allow scripture to define scripture. The apostle Paul said it this way,

Romans 14:17

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

So Jesus practically said to e worries you must seek first righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit and His righteousness.

Seeking His righteousness is so important and such a priority that Jesus may have well used it twice. As a dad, in my home, I make a priority and emphasis of my instruction at the beginning of my statements to my children and at the end. An example in my home, “Jocelyn I need you to do your school work, then your chores, then feed the dog. And Jocelyn please do not forget your school work.” I believe Jesus is telling those who are stressed today, “Seek first my righteousness, my peace, my joy and please don’t forget it’s my righteousness you’re seeking!” There is something joyful abounding when we seek our dad. His pleasure in hiding is the joy of us finding Him.

 

Brandon Pollard

http://www.graceforeternity.com