The Gall Of Bitterness

Hebrews 6:9: But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

There are things that accompany salvation. Faith and repentance come to mind. Without faith and repentance there is no salvation.

Mark 1:15: And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Mark 2:17: When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Luke 19:10: For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

John 6:37: All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Men are called to Jesus and they are called to salvation and they are called to repentance at the same time. The gall of bitterness is the inevitable result of a lack of repentance for one*s sins. A man named Simon was in the gall of bitterness. The Bible does not tell us if he ever repented of his sin.

Acts 8:18: And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles* hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

The Apostle Simon Peter was in the gall of bitterness before he repented of denying Christ. We know that he did repent and serve the Lord for the rest of his life.

Matthew 26:75: And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Judas was in the gall of bitterness and never repented.

Matthew 27:5: And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

The rich man in Luke was in the gall of bitterness and will be forever.

Luke 16:22: And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham*s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Esau found no place of repentance and will be in the gall of bitterness forever.

Hebrews 12:14: Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 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; 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Before I received Jesus I was in the gall of bitterness and could not escape it by my own power. Have you repented of your sin and escaped forever from the gall of bitterness? Are you concerned that multitudes around you are in the gall of bitterness? If not, I wonder if you have truly received Jesus.

Care to discuss The Gall Of Bitterness with Ron?

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