Sweetness

The other day I read an interesting fact about honey.  Did you know that germs cannot live in honey because it’s too sweet?   It’s true.  The sugar in the honey causes the water part of the bacteria to evaporate… thus killing the bad germ.  Similarly, that’s why jellies can be put into jars and kept indefinitely without fear of contamination. It’s the sugar… the sweetness.. that makes all the difference.  

As we think about our world today,  many would tell you that the way to deal with the corruption and evil is to seek revenge.  After all, if we are wronged… they have it coming.  We hurt… they should hurt.  However, scripture tells us differently.  In fact, we are told in Luke 6 that we should “return good for evil”  and in Proverbs 16:24… that it is gracious words (like a honeycomb) that brings “healing to the bones”.  God says when the world wants to sour us… reply with kindness.  Turn the other cheek.  Extend the olive branch.  Allow God’s sweetness in our heart to drive out the bitterness of what the flesh might want us to do.   It may not be our first reaction…. but the more often we choose it… the closer to Christ we will be.

Truly Free

2013 marked the final year in the life of one of the world’s most influential leaders:  Nelson Mandela.  Held in prison for 27 years, he bravely stood against the oppressive rule of Apartheid.  The day he was released from jail, Mandela was quoted as saying “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.”

Freedom.  Real freedom.  Have you ever experienced it?  Have you ever been imprisoned by those feelings that could have easily trapped Nelson Mandela?

Bitterness.  Hatred.

Feelings that if left unchecked can place a cage over our life… subjecting us to years of cruel imprisonment.  When we let them overwhelm us, we torture ourselves… poisoned by our own unwillingness to move on.  Ephesians 4:31 tells us to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger…”  How do we do that?  Discover the key to the cell…  Forgiveness.  Not forgetfulness.  Not acting like it didn’t happen.  Not pretending that everything is erased.  Just forgiving those that caused the pain… releasing the revengeful heart so that you can walk into the sunlight of the rest of your life.   Forgiveness isn’t for them.  They may not have asked for it or even deserve it.  It’s for you.  It’s your opportunity to get past your past… to learn from the pain… and experience the freedom that comes from following Christ’s example.

Time to Evict

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.”  Ephesians 4:31

A 23 year old man in Boca Raton, Florida is trying to snag a 2.5 million dollar mansion for free.  He has moved into the home and has filed an “adverse possession claim.”  In other words... he’s a squatter.  Someone who moves in like he owns the place and won’t leave.  As upset as the neighbors are at this... they can’t seem to get him out and claim that his being there will ruin the neighborhood.

Unforgiveness is a lot like that squatter.  When we’ve been wronged and choose not to pardon someone, it takes up residence in our hearts and refuses to move.  And it doesn’t come alone.  It invites bitterness, resentment, and anger to live upstairs as well.  The Bible tells us in Ephesians to get rid of all of these if we want to get past our past.  The other person may not deserve it (or even ask for it)... but when we forgive, we begin to move forward and our heart can start to heal.   

Cut It Out

A surgeon by the name of Dr. Kane was looking for a candidate for a very routine surgery. He wanted to prove that an appendectomy could be performed under local anesthetic...and that a patient didn’t need to be asleep during the process. After finding his volunteer, Dr. Kane numbed the area and skillfully removed the appendix. During the surgery, the patient was wide awake... even able to talk with the nurses the entire time. Recovery was over after a couple of days and the patient was released from the hospital. That brave patient’s name? Dr. Kane. He had removed his own appendix.

Self-surgery seems absurd. What would drive someone to cut into and remove something from themselves? But the Bible talks about one such surgery in Ephesians 4:31. It says “All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice.” Here’s the truth... only you can remove these things from your life. Only you can eliminate your bitterness and anger... and every great sermon, every self-help book, and every deep breath can only calm you down temporarily. Scripture tells us these things must be cut out completely from our everyday behavior. How do we do it? Decide to. And when you feel like being bitter or angry... dwell on today’s verse. Remind yourself that God has a plan for your life... He’s given you a destiny that anger, bitterness, malice, and slander will just sidetrack. Ready to make lasting change? Scrub up and get ready doctor... your patient awaits!