This blog is from Chapter 7 of THE CALL: BOOK THREE - FRUITFUL (Transforming Your Community). The blog compares Babylon and America and the people of God in both cultures. The encouragement is to forsake the culture of the world and to live in a way that pursues the heritage that God has for His people.

Judgment and bitterness work hand in hand. We use judgment to support the bitterness that we feel and to justify it. Unfortunately, we even engage in judgment when we have no authority whatsoever to do so. Improper judgment is an offense to the Lord. We need to release it to Him, and to let it go!

Forgiveness is often a process that takes time and effort. We use our will to grant forgiveness. That decision is “transactional forgiveness.” But our hurts and wounds may still linger. Over time, if we hold to our commitment to forgive, our emotions and feelings will align with our decision. That is “emotional forgiveness.” Walking out the commitment to forgive is a process of healing and grace.

Bitterness can not only impact the people around us, but it can stay in cultures, tribes, families, and nations for many generations. Our decision to let go of bitterness and to forgive can impact many generations to come. When we consider bitterness in our lives, we need to weigh the impact of our decisions and actions on our children, grandchildren, and their children.

Jesus requested forgiveness for His killers on the cross. This forgiveness is an essential part of our salvation and an essential part of God’s plan of redemption. But Jesus made it clear in His teachings that He expected His followers to forgive as well. A commitment to forgive is necessary to overcome bitterness.

The path to the cross involved great physical suffering. But Jesus accepted this suffering sacrificially. He did not retaliate and He did not express bitterness or rancor. Jesus demonstrated to His followers how to live in freedom from resentment or the bondage of bitterness.

The path to the cross of Jesus was filled with suffering, offense, abuse, ridicule, and betrayal. Jesus walked this path because it was the will of His Father. The cross is not just a gift to us, but it is an example to us - to bear our cross with love and compassion and to bear our cross without bitterness.

Biblical characters faced bitterness as well. Some overcame bitterness to fulfill their destiny in the Lord while other persons were overwhelmed by it. Studying these persons is instructive as to how to face bitter events and circumstances, and the attitudes to employ.

Bitterness has an impact on our lives. It is the root cause of companion traits that result from bitterness. These traits include a gloomy outlook, lack of creativity, lack of joy, jealousy, and blindness to the truth. When we resist bitterness, we overcome the traits that go with it.

Bitterness doesn’t just happen. Bitterness develops and builds - like a volcano about to explode and destroy. Feelings of resentment lead to negative thoughts and memories which, in turn, are expressed in words and in action. Recognition of the warning signs of bitterness can help us resist bitterness so we can overcome it!

Bitterness has a progression. Bitterness begins with an offense that causes resentment. The resentment creates barriers that lead to broken relationships and many other negative impacts.

To realize our purpose and destiny in the Lord, we need to live free from bitterness. Bitterness is a form of bondage that destroys relationship. Reject bitterness and live in spiritual freedom.