THE HELMET, SWORD&SHIELD

"Don't Sell Your Birthright"

“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; “Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright."

Hebrews 12:15-16

When we travel back along “memory lane,” we are painfully reminded of the anguish and misery we experienced during the life moments we made the wrong choices; when we missed a tremendous opportunity; or when we gave away something that later proved to be of great value.

The record of Scripture provides us with a stern warning regarding repeating the same act with regards to spiritual matters.

Here, while addressing an audience with a teetering perspective regarding embracing matters pertaining to the “old glory” of the Law and the “new glory” of the grace of God found in Christ Jesus, the writer presents the historical record concerning Esau who made “the biggest blunder of the ages.” He sold his “spiritual birthright.”

Today, whereas it is wholly true that the Christian believer cannot lose our eternal birthright of eternal life attained by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, the text yet serves to warn us.

The presentation of this practical bible truth is a sobering admonition intended to deter us from sacrificing the blessing of the spiritual birthrights available to us now, for the alternative of"that" which will only invite misery and remorse into our lives.

Initially, we may react offended by the notion or consideration that we would ever do such a thing. Many of us believe that such a thing could never happen to us. “Root of bitterness?“ we expressively retort. “After all,” we arguably protest, “I love the Lord.”

We contend that we “love God” too much to ever allow such a thing to occur in our lives. Howvever, do we not think that those in the target audience of the inspired writer perceived themselves any different?

While having already detoured onto this path, and having noticeably drifted into this distant sphere, undoubtedly the initial recipients of these words were also challenged to re-examine their own route that had lead them down this backslidden path.

It is typically the case that those who are lost do not initially perceive that they are lost. Nor is it commonly the case that we bypass that which we deem as valuable for something of lesser value; even when we elect to play the game of “Deal or No Deal.”

However, when have sadly elected to mimic the model of Esau and practically follow in his footsteps, likewise, the consequential outcome will also result in our own lives.

Namely, we sell our spiritual “birthright” for that which is in essence the “root of bitterness.” Thus, in the aftermath of that transaction (to be sure) the quality of our spiritual life will take a "nose dive" and the visible countenance of our natural life will follow suit; so much so that our friends and loved ones are left wondering, "what happened to them?"

The writer of Hebrews warned the hearers not to abandon the pathway of glory that was set before them. At the beginning of the chapter he exhorted: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:1-2)

The Root of Bitterness

The writer warns the hearers to guard against the presence of “bitterness” or regrets that emerges as a result of the sufferings and persecutions for being professed followers of Christ that they had experienced, and would experience.

The way of suffering is the “lot” of all Christians. It is not something that can be avoided, but should be anticipated and embraced. Romans 8:17-18 presents before us the full comprehensive view of this Christian experience: “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

As was the case with many of the Hebrew hearers, the seeds of “bitterness” had begun to settle in their hearts because of the loss they were experiencing in the present. They experienced ill treatment because of their testimony. They experienced social rejection because they no longer embraced the “old way.”

Many of them experienced severed family relationships because of the detaching blow made by the sword of the Gospel. In many instances they experienced the loss of material goods because the “way of God” differed from the “ways of men.”

In relation to us (Christ followers), we may believe that we are immune from the influence of “bitterness.” However, there are numerous instances in Scripture where we see its presence surface in the model lives of those that once exuded strong faith and unshakable allegiance toward God.

We must not delude ourselves into underestimating the altering potential of the suffering experience.

It is true that throughout the course of our lives we all have encountered episodes of suffering in varying degrees and at various levels; however, to be sure, there are more intense levels and situational settings of suffering that we have not yet confronted that will (again) literally challenge us at the core of our being.

We can presently listen to or recollect a host of accounts and ordeals detailing life scenarios of individuals where intense physical and mental suffering as a result of medical maladies and the intense pain of inner grief as a result of a significant loss has literally turned their lives upside down, and inside out.

Too, we are fully aware the plight of larger segments of global communities where the scope of live suffering occurs on a scale totally incomprehensible to those of us who live outside that sphere. As we have repeatedly seen, under such conditions, the seeds of “bitterness” can easily begin to germinate in our hearts and cause us to respond accordingly.

During his extensive ordeal of suffering, at one point, the biblical patriarch Job was compelled to mournfully express: “Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.” (Job 7:11)

“He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness. (Job 9:18)

“My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; show me wherefore thou contendest with me.” (Job 10:1-2)

Assuredly, the Lord knows the true sentiments of our hearts even though we may not publically broadcast them as did Job or others.

When the tentacles of bitterness begin to wrap around our hearts, we then begin to feel deep resentment toward God, and blame Him for the conditions of our plight; even though we may hesitantly and regrettably acknowledge, “I know this is the will of God.”

In such instances we are prone to distance ourselves from the Lord and the congregation of fellowship: and often grow angry toward what we honestly envision as His unfair behavior toward us. Consequently, in the interim, our view toward the “spiritual things” that we once assessed as valuable shifts, and we push them aside as though they were worthless.

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“Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.” Malachi 3:16

"Don't Sell Your Birthright"

“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; “Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright."

Hebrews 12:15-16

The Root of Bitterness

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Hebrews 12:14-17(KJV)

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