Forgiveness: The Root of Bitterness
(This is the final installment of my three-part series on forgiveness.) Hebrews 12:14-15 (KJV) Follow peace with all men , and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 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; The roots of beautiful flowers are underground, hidden from view. If a root succumbs to disease, it can destroy the entire plant, if not the garden. The root of bitterness is spiritual poison to our bodies. We are commissioned by the Bible to strive to become more Christlike. Resentment has no place in the heart of a believer. The Hubster said once in a Sunday School lesson, "Spiritual wounds do not heal on their own. You have to go to The Doctor." So true! Our humanity yearns to strike back against an enemy. We have to fight our sin nature. What will it profit us? If your brother sins against you, Jesus taught us in Luke 17 to forgive him over an...