Draw Near – 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with GodSample

BETTER OR BITTER Few people liked President Andrew Johnson. On speaking tours, they booed him and applauded his rival, Ulysses S. Grant. When the election came, President Johnson was voted out and Grant took office. The outgoing chief executive was so bitter, he refused to ride in the carriage with Grant to the inauguration and did not attend the ceremonies. However, much to his dismay, he hurt himself by these actions rather than the new president. Today, we read about such bitterness in God's Word. James knew bitterness would destroy the soul. Therefore, he took this occasion to write against it as he was inspired by the Holy Ghost. He knew Christ's command to forgive seventy times seven allowed no place for bitterness and strife. For centuries, scoffers have ridiculed the advice of Jesus to love your enemies as being impractical, idealistic, and absurd. Now doctors are joining ministers in saying the only way to maintain good physical and spiritual health is to obey this command and not let bitterness eat away at your soul. Let us this day remember it is His will for us to be forgiving, kind, gentle, and full of mercy. We will be better if we follow the warning of James, but bitter if we refuse it. And, it is good to remember that love is an action, not a feeling. James tells us: But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there (James 3:14-16).