See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal....Hebrews 12:15-16
The grace of God is that spectacular ingredient in the believer's life which possesses the activation of the living God. Due to grace we are effective. Period. Without it? We are stuck with our own industry which is quite lacking in the Kingdom-of-God process.
Bitterness is immoral. It cancels grace. The result of bitterness shuts out God's involvement with us. Oddly, bitterness fits the parallel of Esau in that he traded his birthright for one meal. Bitterness satisfies the angry soul. While it won't stay around for the long haul, it leads one to have great appetite for getting even. The long-term penalty is worth little discussion to the one hungering to extend insult.
Bitterness is a bad deal. It deceives us into believing temporary injury to another makes us even; maybe even victorious. It's far worse. It cancels God's grace.
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