The Disciple and Bitterness-2

EVERY WORD OF GOD IS FLAWLESS;

HE IS A SHIELD TO THOSE WHO TAKE REFUGE IN HIM (Prov. 30:5)

Imanuel and Violet Christian;

4412 Hartford Drive, Plano, Texas 75093;

E-mail: imubhai@juno.com;

Phone: 214 227 3456

Dear Family and Friends,

Greetings once again and trust that everything has been going well with you and thatyou are enjoying the beautiful Fall weather before it gets too cold!

We are doing well and we had great time at our brief vacation in Colorado Mountains.First time ever we took a vacation like this and we really enjoyed it. Visited several of thepopular natural spots, took a five-mile hike on a mountain trail, half of it in pouring rainwithout umbrella, climbed 224 steps on the side of the Seven Falls and I even took a bungeeswing at the Royal Gorge! Then spent four days with Amit, Ashley and little Aiden in Atlantaand enjoyed every minute of it!

Now back to the desk and just completed a brief article for a Gujarati magazine thatpublishes one my article on Ten Commandments and also one Bible question answered everymonth. Then now back to Revelation! Keep us in your prayers!

Thank you so much for the gift this month and we praise the Lord for you and for your lovefor us. We appreciate your prayers for us and for the ministry and we certainly appreciate your lovingencouragement.

Yours in His joyful service,
Imanuel-Violet

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord isnear. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever isnoble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever islovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent orpraiseworthy—think about such things (Phil. 4:4-5, 8).

The Disciple and Bitterness-2

Imanuel G. Christian

October 2010

Last month we noted that bitterness of heart is one of the worst emotions anybodycan have, especially a believer. It has far reaching and drastic consequences, not onlypersonally, but to everybody around that person, including the whole congregation that he isa part of. This month we will note some of these consequences of bitterness. We all, ofcourse, already know these. And yet many times we harbor resentment and bitterness ofheart, and so it is good to be reminded of these from time to time.

The first and major consequence of bitterness of heart is to the person himself whoharbors the bitterness: loss of joy, loss of peace, and loss of quiet rest that God wants us toexperience. Resentment of heart and cheerfulness of heart cannot exist together. Bitternessis like fire that rages inside a person and burns his inner being. Or, it is like acid stored up inthe bottle of the heart that cannot but corrode the heart. The most damaging impact is not tothe one against whom we harbor the bitterness, but to our own heart in which it is stored up.

Secondly, by our bitterness of heart, not only are we hurting our own heart, but weare also hurting God’s heart. Paul commands believers, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). And after that Paulgives a list of things which grieve the Spirit of God, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger,brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (Ephesians 4:31). Here bitterness isnot only listed first, but all other things in the list are the results of bitterness and grieve theSpirit of God. Actually, in the whole New Testament this is the only place where a believer’sact of grieving the Spirit of God is mentioned and that is in relation to bitterness and otherthings related to it. Paul advises instead, “Be kind and compassionate to one another,forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

The third major personal loss to a believer because of harboring bitterness in his heartis broken fellowship/relationship with God. The heart that is filled with bitterness andresentment cannot enjoy uninterrupted fellowship with God. As John says, “If we claim tohave fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth” (1John 1:6). See also 1 John 1:9-11; 3:10-12; 4:11-12). Imagine going to your devotional andprayer time after having a major disagreement and quarrel with your spouse!

One of the results of broken fellowship is that our prayers are hindered. That is whythe Word of God advises us to deal with bitterness before going to God in prayer or forour personal devotional time. Jesus said, “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with hisbrother will be subject to judgment… Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altarand there remember that your brother has something against you; leave your gift there infront of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift”(Matthew 5:22-24). Peter gives one of the consequences of a broken relationship between ahusband and wife as unanswered prayers (1 Peter 3:7).

Personal or individual bitterness does not remain limited to one person, but it spreads like gangrene to the whole congregation and creates an atmosphere of dissension anddivisiveness. This is what the author of Hebrews calls the root of bitterness that defiles many(Hebrews 12:15). One person’s bitterness defiles the whole congregation, choking thespiritual growth of everyone. The Corinthian church is an example of such divisiveness.

Although there may be other reasons for the divisiveness in the congregation, there isonly one reason for individual bitterness: spiritual immaturity as evidenced in the Corinthianchurch. Paul writes to them, “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ.… For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you notworldly?” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).

A spiritually immature person is impatient, unkind, envious, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, easily angered, keeps a record of wrongs, whereas a spiritually mature person has apositive outlook towards others (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Similarly Peter lists things like malice,deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander as signs of spiritual immaturity (1 Peter 2:1). Jamesmakes it even clearer that the main reason behind bitterness and all the things that go with itis spiritual immaturity. He says, “If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts,do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven butis earthly, unspiritual, of the devil” James 3:14-15). On the other hand, “the wisdom thatcomes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full ofmercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17).

Jesus provided the best example of the remedy for bitterness. “He committed no sin,and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did notretaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him whojudges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sinsand live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:22-24).

Can you say with all honesty, with God who knows our hearts as your witness, thatyou do not harbor any bitterness or resentment towards anybody? If yes, praise the Lord! ByGod’s grace you have acquired the key of a cheerful heart, joyful life and testimony of theLord’s work in your life.

But if no, you know what you need to do. Throw away those coals, the acid that isburning up your heart and ruining your life. Ask for forgiveness from the Lord for thebitterness you have been harboring and for strength to have genuine love and compassionfor the person against whom you have been harboring bitterness. As a result, “…the peace ofGod, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in ChristJesus” (Philippians 4:7). And instead of dwelling on bitterness, “…whatever is true, whateveris noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—ifanything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).