“Make sure 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.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:15‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

How can someone fall short of the grace of God unless it is a high standard! Some churches are teaching that the grace of God is the lowest standard of God. They say, “it is the grace of God that covers our multiple sins.” They say, “it is ok because of God’s grace He will forgive you.” But in all reality, God’s grace comes to those who are striving toward God and fall short. At that time God extends His grace toward us to pull us out of sin we find ourselves. When we do not seek God in repentance God does not extend grace to us. 

The grace of Jesus does not make life easier, but harder. What did Jesus say about adultery?

“You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery. But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:27-28‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/mat.5.27-28.hcsb

What about murder?

“You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Fool! ’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But whoever says, ‘You moron! ’ will be subject to hellfire.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:21-22‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/mat.5.21-22.hcsb

What about our love for other people?

“You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:43-44‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/mat.5.43-44.hcsb

Jesus’ grace does not give a free pass to these and every other sin in life, but He clarified that it is harder than what was expected. Adultery starts with lust, murder starts with anger, and love must not stop with those who love us but must be extended to even those who hate us.

 Make sure that no root of bitterness springs up. Bitterness is an emotion that feels that someone else has got it better than you do. Do you know the price they have paid for what they got? Someone may have the best vehicle in the church, but they could be in debt so much that they may never see the light. Or maybe they have sacrificed for years driving the clunkers so that they could stay out of debt and now God has blessed them and they can pay cash for that nice vehicle. We never know the price people have paid to get where they are at face value, but if you asked them in private they may tell you the real reason why they have what you bitter off, but it may not be good. 

Bitterness starts in the heart right before Anger. Anger grows into wrath. Wrath gets expressed in shouting. Shouting results in slander. Slander leads to malice. Malice is the desire that leads to an action to hurt the other person and the last action that could hurt them is murder.

“All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:31-32‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/eph.4.31-32.hcsb

If we have bitterness in our hearts toward another person then we are one step away from murdering them. But instead, we need to be kind to one another and know that if someone else is in sin that we could have easily been where they are.

“Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you also won’t be tempted.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:1‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

https://www.bible.com/72/gal.6.1.hcsb