Forgiveness and the Disciple

Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

A bitter root of unforgiveness is a hidden response to the way other people have treated us and, over time, will grow into a deep and big problem that poisons and dwarfs any good that we do. It stems from being sinned against, but, by its very nature, it causes us to sin and creates a barrier between us and God. Although you may have been sinned against, a bad response poisons your own soul. A bitter root makes us the judge instead of the forgiver. God is judge and, in not following the example of Jesus on the cross (Luke 23:24), we take on the role of God in the situation. As Christians we are called to a higher way; to love and pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:43-44).  

One of the hardest things to forgive is a betrayal by someone whom you love and who you thought loved you. Jesus himself experienced this disloyalty through Judas’s betrayal, swiftly followed by his closest friends not standing by him in the hours before his arrest along with Peter’s denial shortly afterwards. The good news is that the gospel of Jesus Christ gives us a way to rid ourselves completely from a bitter root.  

Many years ago Paul and I experienced the heartache of being let down by those we loved and who we thought loved us. It was the most painful period of our lives and caused us months of heart-wrenching anxiety and sadness until on the 18 July 2003, one Wednesday lunchtime, I was listening to Joe Stowell on the radio, preaching on the Centrality of Christ at Keswick Bible Convention. Whilst tidying bits and bobs on our attic room floor, the power of the preached word caused me to lay face down in repentance before God. As I lay weeping before God I let go of all my pain, ambitions, hopes and dreams. All that mattered was that Jesus had ransomed me for His purposes and that I could trust Him for our future, which at the time seemed so uncertain. No longer did I rehearse conversations in my head, write letters in my dreams, or pace the floor anxiously. I was set free!  

Many months later I found myself standing behind the person who had started the lies and I chose to pray blessing and favour over her. After the meeting, she came over to me starting the conversation with, “I need to ask your forgiveness….” I rather glibly brushed it away indicating that it had been dealt with months ago.  

Initially, we need to recognise that we have a bitter root. We can often live in denial that we are holding ill feelings towards another person because it’s not the ‘Christian’ thing to do. The tell-tale sign that we have a bitter root is when we find ourselves nursing a wrong feeling towards another and justifying our thoughts, and then we rehearse over and over again how we want to react to it. In other words, we lose our peace. Once we have recognised we have a bitter root we can repent of our feelings and allow the Holy Spirit to wash away our bitterness. This is what happened on my attic room floor.  

Holding unforgiveness is such a fundamental stronghold that the devil wants to ensnare us in, it is the most important key to walking in freedom. A helpful resource is Neil Anderson’s Freedom in Christ material, which lays out some steps towards freedom.  

Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,…

Phil Moore, Everyday Church Wimbledon. Enjoy the New You #9.1; #9.2; #9.3; #9.4 and #9.5 

Joseph Stowell, Keswick Bible Convention July 2003. The Centrality of Christ CD Series £14.95 

Neil Anderson, Steps to Freedom in Christ – Step 3 Bitterness verses Forgiveness