I read recently about an old massive bridge in the Scottish highlands that spans a gorge known as "The High Bridge." But something happened that made it necessary for officials to condemn it. A tiny birch seed, caught by a gust of wind, dropped into a small crevice above the keystone. It lodged unnoticed in the lime, and before long it germinated. Soon it was a young sapling, but still nobody saw it. As it grew into a tree, its roots went deep into the masonry so that the arch was severely damaged. The bridge that had defied violent storms and supported the weight of marching armies finally had to be closed to traffic. It had succumbed to a small seed.

You know in our lives the smallest sins can have devastating consequences. One of them that is very easy to overlook and let grow and fester in our hearts is unforgiveness. Hear the words of Hebrews 12:14-15 “Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness--without it no one will see the Lord. (15) See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, defiling many.” Just like that small seed and its roots affected that bridge so to bitterness that springs up in our hearts and can destroy even our deepest Christian relationships. A poisonous root of bitterness comes when we allow disappointment to grow into resentment, or when we nurse grudges over past hurts. Bitterness brings with it jealousy, dissension, and immorality. The good news is that we don’t have to be condemned like the bridge, to a life of bitterness and unforgiveness, because if we truly allow the Holy Spirit fill us, he can heal the hurts that causes bitterness and save us from the damage it could have been caused.

"For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. (15) But if you don't forgive people, your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing. Matthew 6:14-15

Pastor Phillip