Author: Brian Burdett

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;” – Hebrews 12:14-15

Bitterness is a poison we choose to drink for ourselves (over and over and over). Bitterness spreads until it poisons our hearts, minds, souls, and relationships. While it often begins with a genuine wrong done to us, bitterness arises when we take that wrong and respond to it wrongly for an extended period of time. When we dwell too long on our hurt, loss, anger, and sorrow. What begins with so-called righteous indignation gradually hardens into toxic bitterness that can devastate our lives more than the original harm ever could.

We can’t control other people or how they act. Some will act sinfully, cruelly, selfishly, thoughtlessly, or evilly. However, we can control, and are ultimately responsible for, how we respond to others. Scripture is clear: because God didn’t dwell on our sinfulness, evil, and rebellion but instead gave His Son as a sacrifice to offer us forgiveness, peace, and reconciliation we’re called to do the same with the broken relationships in our lives.

We must apply the Gospel to our interpersonal relationships. We must strive for peace with everyone just as God strove for peace with us – at the cost of His Son. By the power of God’s Spirit, we must pursue the personal holiness that’s impossible when our minds are focused on our grievances, wounds, scars, and bitterness. We must display God’s grace toward others who don’t deserve it, just as we don’t. We must release our anger, frustration, hurt, and disappointment to the Lord before it hardens into a root of bitterness that ultimately poisons us. Christian, don’t drink that poison!!!

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6

Faith is the key! We can’t earn our way into God’s presence. We can’t discipline our way into God’s presence. We can’t accomplish our way into God’s presence. We can’t give our way into God’s presence. We can’t deserve to enter God’s presence. We believe and in God’s grace, He welcomes us into His presence!

However, we must be clear: it isn’t some generic faith that pleases God! It isn’t some vague faith in a higher power that brings us near to God. It isn’t faith in any god that God rewards. It’s faith in the One True Living God of the Universe. It’s faith in Him as He is: 3-in-1, eternally Triune, Father-Son-Spirit. It’s faith that God exists, that God is holy, that God is just, that God punishes sin, and that God graciously offers forgiveness for our sins exclusively through faith in Jesus Christ, His Son Who died and rose from the dead.

Do you desire to please God? Believe in Christ! Would you like to draw near to God? Believe in Christ and know that genuine belief in Jesus results in a life devoted to following Jesus and becoming like Jesus. Would you like to be rewarded by God? Take up your cross daily, deny yourself, and follow Jesus!

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:24-25

On this day in which we honor and give thanks for all those who’ve faithfully served this nation in uniform, the Bible provides a timely reminder of the importance of in person presence and encouragement. The times are evil and the Day of the Lord is approaching – we must gather and encourage one another.

Our culture has long tended toward isolation. That can be particularly true for those who’ve experienced the rigors, traumas, disruptions, and unique challenges of military service. What was previously true became radically worse during the past 20 months. Too many have become too isolated for too long! Humans were not meant to live in isolation, even if we’re drawn to it. Christians must vigorously resist the trend toward self-isolation.

Make every effort to meet with others, for their sake and yours. Gather in person and offer abundant encouragement in the Lord to all whom you meet. Resist the lure of personal isolationism, for these days are dark in themselves and are yet darker still for many because of the struggles, hurts, traumas, and losses of their past and present. Never assume you understand what’s going on inside a person’s heart. Rather, be persistently encouraging. Stir one another up to love and good works, and do so all the more as you see the Day of the Lord drawing near!

“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” – Hebrews 10:14

You are not forgiven for your sins, made acceptable in God’s eyes, or declared holy because of anything you DO. There is nothing you can DO to make yourself worthy of God’s love. No amount of hard work, self-discipline, personal sacrifice, clean living, philanthropy, good deeds, or moral behavior can ever perfect you, because you aren’t perfect. You aren’t (and neither is anyone else). However, there is one sacrifice by which you are made perfect in God’s eyes – the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross!

When the sinless, eternal Son of God died on a cross and rose from the dead, He made a single, once-for-all offering to pay the penalty for human sin. When we put our faith in Him, embracing this Good News for ourselves, we are made perfect in God’s eyes. Our sin, guilt, and shame are all washed away. We are sealed and indwelt by God’s Holy Spirit. We are made new creations in Christ.

By God’s grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, we are adopted by God, loved by God, embraced by God, and perfected by God. Not that we are actually perfect on this side of heaven, but God sees Christ’s perfection in us. By His Spirit, God then empowers us to be sanctified – to engage in a lifelong process (and struggle) to grow toward the perfection God already sees in us, a perfection that will be completed when we enter God’s presence forever. Praise Jesus, Whose offering has perfected for all time those being sanctified by God’s grace!!!

“Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?” – Ezekiel 18:23

God is absolutely just. He will deal justly with those who rebel against Him and reject Him by sinning against Him (which is all of us). However, God takes no pleasure in sinners experiencing the wrath they’ve chosen and earned for themselves by their sinful rejection of His authority and good design. God will dispense justice, but He takes no pleasure in a sinner’s damnation. God would much rather each person repent of their sins and turn toward Him in faith. God longs to adopt each person as a beloved child, embracing them in love.

In His grace and mercy, God provided a means for all our sins to be dealt with justly. He sent His beloved eternal Son Jesus into the world to live the sinless life we can’t and to die on a cross as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, God made it possible for us to turn from our evil ways and live forever by believing in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

When anyone puts his or her faith in Jesus, they receive new life. They become new creation. Their sins are forgiven and God’s justice is satisfied. God’s pleasure can then abundantly overflow into their life and it certainly does! Such repentance and renewal, freely offered to even the worst and most undeserving of people, is what gives the Almighty God of the Universe great pleasure. Embrace God’s grace and pleasure – turn from your sins and embrace Jesus for yourself!