INTRODUCTION

Nowadays the Evangelical Christians speak a lot about the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. The spectacular evidences like miracles, healing, deliverance from the bondages, prophecies, spiritual gifts etc. Whenever a preacher comes here with such gifts we run to see the manifestations. There is nothing wrong in that. Holy Spirit is indeed the worker behind every gifted Christian to bring glory to God. Not everyone is gifted to do the spectacular works Through the Holy Spirit.

The most important fact that every one of us needs to understand is, in the very name of the Holy Spirit itself He is not called the shouting spirit. When someone makes loud noise in preaching or praying people might think it is Holy Spirit. He is not called the jumping spirit, clapping spirit or any other spirit but HOLY Spirit. The prime work of the Holy Spirit is to present every one of us Holy before our father God. That’s why the passage we read clearly says in Vs 14 without holiness no one will see the Lord". Also Jesus in the beatitudes mentioned the

same. Matt 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. So our destiny is purely based on the Holiness that comes through our constant walk with the Holy Spirit.

FORGIVENESS

There are many factors affect our Holiness. Of course every sin committed by us makes us unholy, but the grace of God gives us the assurance that there is forgiveness if we repent and renounce the sin committed by us. Let us read I Jn 1:9 .This verse does not mean we have license to sin. Another verse in Prov 28:13 explains what is to be done about the sin to obtain forgiveness.

Forgiveness from God is conditional. We must repent and renounce. Also there is another most important condition, that is to forgive others. Without this the forgiveness of God will not be available to us. Let us read Matt 6:14- 16

There are many things prevent us from forgiving others. If we truly trace the reason, we find that there was a time we were hurt, then we allowed that feeling of hurt to settle deep down in our minds which then developed into bitterness. Then this bitterness grew up gradually over the time and became hatred. Once the things develop to that level it is very difficult to forgive.

When we refer to the starting Text — Heb 12: 14-17 we find something very shocking.

BITTERNESS

Bitterness is referred as a root in Heb 12: 15. If bitterness is root, the hurt is the seed. If the hurt is allowed to stay in the mind it lets it roots as bitterness. If bitterness is allowed to grow further it finally becomes a big tree called hatred.

This bitter root in us is very dangerous, and it has to be uprooted and to be replaced with some other. Eph 3:1

HOW TO GET RID OF THE BITTERNESS?

When we are hurt for no reason, it is natural that we become angry, and we want the person who hurt us to be some how punished. Is it wrong to expect that? It is a very logical question from the human point of view. But a Christian does not look that way but he follows the example of Christ Jesus.

Let us go to Calvary where our Lord is crucified. There is no guilt in Him for any punishment. He had all the rights to complain to His father to judge the people who crucified Him for no reason. If He had done it, we are sure that the Father must have sent a battalion of angels to destroy those enemies. But that never happened, instead there was a prayer from the cross for forgiveness towards those enemies. Luke 23:34

This is the pattern for a Christian, how to handle bitterness. The best place to get rid of it is looking at the cross, daily in our lives. The blood of Christ will burn up every bitter root and the root of love will start growing. Col 3:13-14

Any hurt that we encounter, let us call it a sin and immediately get rid of it, lest it grows into bitterness and then to hatred and it might cause us to fall from the grace.

Let us read the parable of unmerciful servant in Matt 18: 21 - 35

It is very clear from this parable and the concluding verses; Matt 18:32-35 if we fail to forgive our sins also will not be forgiven. Also there is another judgement pronounced in Mat.18:34, that is until you settle your unforgiving problem, you will be tortured. The reason why many Christians suffer sickness, problems, mental agony instead of joy, peace and good health promised to those who believe, is because somewhere we have failed to forgive someone from our heart. If there is a longstanding problem in our lives, it is better for us to check whether there is any bitterness, hatred and unforgiving spirit in us. Shall we run to the cross and cry to the Lord to fill us with love and mercy in order that we might forgive those who have wronged against us. Then we can be certain that there will be a solution.

FORGIVENESS NEEDS FAITH Luke 17:1-5

It is evident that Jesus Christ is linking forgiveness to the sin of causing others to sin that is putting stumbling block. The people around us expect the Christians to show mercy and love.

When we fail to do so, we cause disappointment to them. Such matter is considered to be very serious in God’s view. A millstone to be tied around the neck of that person and he should be thrown into the sea- that is the punishment. Then Jesus insists on forgiveness. Hearing that high expectation of forgiveness, the disciples said the amount of faith they had was insufficient to do that and they asked Jesus to increase their faith. Forgiveness is the result of faith in God.

As we understand that the forgiveness is the key factor of our Christian walk, let us take every effort to maintain it. All those who will make to heaven will one day find that we are there because WE ARE FORGIVEN. No wonder our loving Father in heaven expects us to do the same to others. AMEN.