Forgiveness Over Bitterness
I’d like to repeat an important theme from last week’s Faith Over Fear message: Forgiveness is fundamental to our faith.
Learning to forgive is so important that we explore this theme further in today’s message – and next week as well.
Today, we hear from Pastor Rick Warren, a nationally known Baptist minister and founder of the Saddleback Church in California.
Blessed to be a Blessing,
Greg Syfan,
President, Syfan Logistics
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4: 31-32
Choose Forgiveness Over Bitterness
Everyone alive will be hurt, many times over. Sometimes you will be hurt intentionally. Other times, someone will accidentally hurt you. The way you respond will determine how it affects you.
If you forgive, you can move on and find happiness. If you become bitter, you can let one hurt wreck your entire lifetime. You will find that bitterness is a boomerang. It always comes back and hurts you more than anyone else.
What is the antidote to the poison of bitterness? Forgiveness. In the book of Ephesians (see below), Paul tells you to follow the example of God, who forgives you in Christ.
Is there anyone you may be bitter against? Let Jesus flush that bitterness out of your system. Choose to forgive that person, like God forgives you. Let God set you free from bitterness and make room for kindness and compassion in your heart.
Jesus taught this prayer to his followers: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12).
That is a tough standard! But if you follow it, and forgive people in the same way you want to be forgiven, it will help keep bitterness away.