bitterness and forgiveness

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

The other day, my dad read a devotional to me: the root of bitterness by Os Hillman.

How convicting is that?!  Forgiveness has been a strong theme in my life over the past year or so; I know that God is teaching me something.  Little by little I have asked God for help with forgiving certain "wrongs" or certain people.  Then something happens that fires me up again, and I realize I haven't forgiven them that much after all.  Sometimes my own sin is so clear to me.


I know that I should forgive.  While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).  In light of my sin, how can I think that I deserve anything but death?  Still, Jesus went to the cross for me, and He calls me to follow Him, growing more and more like Him.  

I know that I should love and pray for my enemies (Matthew 5:44).  I have learned through experience that my heart can change toward someone--yes, even toward an "enemy"--through prayer.  What if instead of wishing someone the worst, you prayed for him and believed that your heart could change toward him?  

I don't have the answers on this one.  Forgiveness is tough, and it becomes even harder as bitterness takes root.  But God's grace is enough.  

Please share your thoughts. 

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