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; Hebrews 12:15
Lest any man fail of the grace of God
If you want grace from God,
offer others the same grace you have been given
It just takes a tiny root to start growing bitterness
It happens all around us, everyday, we have opportunities of bitterness
We can try to stay at home and hide from the world and still,
the opportunity for bitterness may arise
Forgive as Jesus has forgiven you
The following situation is not so much for the content,
it could be anything that causes these feelings
The example is of how I responded and am responding
and how I could have done better
or the process of how I can still do better
and can do better next time the opportunity arises
Since Jesus is shining a light on the darkness,
He is teaching me and helping me to follow his commandments
My neighbor went away for a week during very hot weather
We hit 116 degrees one day and the other days were over or near 100 and he wanted me to water with MY water Offense #1
I reluctantly agreed because he has issues of fear
and he was afraid I would not turn off the water Offense #2
I was trying to be understanding
Water here is expensive,
it also added another hour to hour and a half to my day Offense #3
It would have been easier if I could’ve watered his yard with the sprinkler when I was watering my own, but since it was my water,
I had to extend my time because my yard takes my water pressure
His girlfriend told me she would pay me
for using my water and for watering
It’s been 2 weeks now and she hasn’t paid me anything yet Offense #4
Then, they decided to go on another journey
two days after the first journey
She texted me, “We’re leaving again.”
Assuming I’d be watering again using my water Offense #5
I know we aren’t supposed to keep a record of wrongs
I told her I hadn’t agreed and wasn’t using my water again
Not sure what Jesus would have done
I’m probably failing some sort of test
I don’t feel bitter and I feel like I have forgiven him and them
but maybe not from the bottom of my heart
I have expressed my frustration to the Lord
I have chosen to forgive
I know the situation is minor in the span of life
I’m working my way to be obedient before God in this situation
Realizing that I am struggling and asking Him for His help
Everything I have is His anyway: My time, my water, my faucets
Did I turn the other cheek?
Maybe not
Did I go two miles?
I don’t think so
Did I give him my cloak?
Nope
Humanness is so ugly sometimes
Maybe it would be helpful if I think of Him as though he is You?
We try so hard to please the Lord and have desires to do things His way
and know what His word says, but then,
when a real situation comes up,
we fail
All the more reason to forgive others
We are just as bad or worse because we know better
I don’t even care about the money
I just don’t want to be taken advantage of
Such a thought of pride
Forgive me Lord
How can I lead others to You
when I don’t love as You have taught us and forgive quickly
to express the grace of Your heart?
Please make me a better person, more like You
Thank you for Your grace to me
and help me to extend that grace to others
Scriptural References:
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV
Ye have heard that it hath been said,
An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil:
but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek,
turn to him the other also.
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat,
let him have thy cloak also.
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Give to him that asketh thee,
and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Matthew 5:39-42
And the King shall answer and say unto them,
Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it
unto one of the least of these my brethren,
ye have done it unto me.
Matthew 25:40