Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales

From: The Life Application Study Bible

14 “Try to live in peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.  15 Look after each other so that none of you will miss out on the special favor of GOD.  Watch out that no bitter root of unbelief rises up among you,  for whenever it springs up, many are corrupted by its poison.”   ~ Hebrews 12:14-15

The Hebrew people were familiar with the ceremonial cleansing ritual that prepared them for worship, and they knew that they had to be holy or clean in order to enter the Temple.  Sin always blocks our vision of GOD; so if we want to see GOD, we must renounce sin and obey HIM.   – 3 “Who may climb the mountain of the LORD?  Who may stand in HIS holy place?  4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.”  – Psalm 24:3-4   – Holiness is coupled with living in peace.  A right relationship with GOD leads to right relationships with fellow believers.  Although we will not always feel loving toward all other believers, we must pursue peace as we become more Christlike.

Like a small root that grows into a great tree, bitterness springs up in our hearts and overshadows even our deepest Christian relationships.  A “bitter root” comes when we allow disappointment to grow into resentment, or when we nurse grudges over past hurts.  Bitterness brings with it jealousy, dissension, and immorality.  When the Holy Spirit fills us, however, HE can heal the hurt that causes bitterness.

 

Father GOD, we have heard it said and no it to be true – hurting people, hurt people.  Help us LORD to not become bitter when our hearts are broken and our feelings get hurt by something someone says or does to us.  Help us not to allow the bitter roots of disappointment and resentment overshadow our Christian relationships.  Fill us LORD, with YOUR Holy Spirit and heal us from the hurts that cause bitterness.

 

Photo: Horseshoe Park (Estes Park, Colorado)

Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales

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