I have been reflecting recently about the church as a whole or the church universal, not the well meaning establishments or outposts of faith that we call the “church.” As a traditional Methodist I come back to a statement we traditionally stated before the affirmations of faith when I was a child. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is the one true church apostolic and universal…”  I write this today because I think we often fail to remember we are a part of a greater body of believers. We often refer to other churches or denominations when we are stating something “we” believe versus something “they” believe. A seed is planted as we speak. A division occurs. When this event happens it seems very insignificant at the time, often something that is glossed over with a smile, or spoken as a passing comment. The seed is bitterness.  Bitterness is spoken about often in the Bible. The Greek word that is used in scripture is PIKRIA and refers to intensity of suffering of mind and body, something that is difficult to bear, something that causes animosity and reaction, something that is brought about by hatred or antagonism. The other form of bitterness actually is very similar; PIKROS refers to the actual taste of something that is bitter. When bitterness is sown into our lives it is very difficult to remove.

Seeds planted in any soil will sprout, but seeds planted in fertile soil not only sprout but grow to be mighty plants which reproduce to make seedlings which multiply often times out of control. The fertile soil of bitterness is often found to be pride. Once we have sown the seed of bitterness our pride fertilizes the seed until the plant is beyond our ability to keep it from consuming us and all that is around us. When bitterness is left to grow out of control I repeat it is beyond our ability to control it! It does not matter if you feel you are a “we” or a “they” bitterness will consume you. It does not matter if you feel as though you are in the right and others are wrong, bitterness will consume you. But… the answer to bitterness is confession. Bitterness is simply sin. You must deal with sin on a daily basis by confessing and moving on. Do you hear the word daily? If you don't do this, sin becomes a burden that clouds your joy, drains your spiritual energy, and destroys your productivity. In short, sin is depressing.

1 John 1:9 states that when you confess your sins, God "is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  In privacy, make a list of your mental attitude sins, verbal sins, and behavior sins. Ask the Lord to make you aware of the habits of your own life. Respond immediately to the Holy Spirit when He uses the Word to spotlight your sin. Name the sin to God; then rejoice in forgiveness and cleansing and your renewed fellowship with God. 

I pray each of us can reach a point where we realize we have all contributed to any division we may have created in the church universal. If you believe this is not about you, then you are saying you do not sin, and we know where that leads. God is waiting to hear us cry out so He may be faithful and just to forgive. Never go longer than a day in confessing your sins before God. Bitterness cannot grow in God’s garden of forgiveness. 

On the journey together,

Kirk