The secret of a victorious life

Sunday service, Dr Albu van Eden , 29 Jul 2018

Hebrews 12:9-17

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the
Father of spirits, and live?

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

15 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;

16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

The key verse is 15, 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;

We don’t live for ourselves. We should feel burdened for our brothers and sisters that each would live a victorious Christian life. Don’t let the devil convince you that others don’t care.
Paul says he is so concerned that others should have salvation that he is in labour pains for them until Christ is formed in them. It’s a matter of life and death. Anything can go wrong any minute and cause the death of either the mother or the child or both. This is the seriousness that Paul felt for those around him to obtain eternal life. And then he says, that no root of bitterness springs up, as if this root will rob us from a victorious Christian life. He also says that this root of bitterness will cause trouble to the church of God. That’s the result of someone where a root of bitterness starts in that life.

Let us ask ourselves, have we not been causing trouble? And if so, is it because of a root of bitterness? This defiles many. It’s an infectious disease and causes others to be defiled. And it will prevent you from living a victorious Christian life. It’s just a root but it takes that spark from your Christian life. It extinguishes God’s fire in your life.

God has a way to bring us under the discipline of the Holy Spirit. He can do that through a financial crisis, a disease, a family crisis. But if you do not obey when He disciplines, then He can give you long term discipline, like a chronic disease for life. He can lead you into a relationship, a marriage, where you are forced to rely on Him every moment.

Be wide awake. Anyone who is walking around with bitterness is a target for the enemy. He will turn you against your friends, even your family.

Who are the people that will walk around with a root of bitterness? Someone who was faithful but yet demoted. That person will feel aggrieved and betray his people.

But we’re speaking about living a victorious life. Look at Joseph. He was treated unfairly, but he had no root of bitterness in his life. He held on to the grace of God. He maintained the grace of God, even though he was treated very unfairly.

Criminal who receive punishment are also ripe to have a root of bitterness in their lives. They will have a root of bitterness against everyone who caused them to become criminal. Don’t think someone who does something wrong acknowledges their wrong. When Cain’s offering was not accepted, a root of bitterness started in his life against his brother Abel and he killed him.

Another group of people is a group who expected a higher position and somehow didn’t receive that position. With that you won’t receive revival, and a root of bitterness will enter your life. It keeps you from being on fire for God.

The last group of people are those who feel they haven’t been given the opportunity to live out their talents, and they become bitter.

Do you want to be popular with your friends and God? Are you a turncoat or are you faithful? Are you keeping a backdoor open in case you’re not successful with God. Do not leave yourself a way of escape. Do not keep friendships that’s taking you from God. And do not speak with a person with a root of bitterness to spread their poison into you.

Are you putting all your strength into keeping the fire of God in your life?

Let’s read verse 15 again, 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;

Bring your root of bitterness to God, and face it. In that way you will be able to live a victorious Christian life.

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