The Cure for Bitterness and Bonds

In Acts 8, Simon of Samaria is an interesting case and by no means a unique one.  He had once made a living through witchcraft and was described as believing in the Gospel and being baptised after he observed miracles and signs done by Christians with amazement.  It seemed more than he desired the Holy Spirit to come upon himself, he desired to obtain the power that upon anyone he laid his hands they might receive the Holy Spirit.  This horrendous offer of money received a stern rebuke from Peter who basically said, "To hell with you and your money!" (Acts 8:21)

Peter continued in Acts 8:21-23:  "You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. ²² Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. ²³ For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity."  Peter's response to Simon has led to some to suggest Simon was not a genuine Christian but a false convert.  Since we cannot perfectly know the hearts of men, better than wondering if Simon was genuinely saved it is more profitable to emphasise there is no doubt there was forgiveness, pardon, and salvation available for Simon and all people who repent from their sin and turn to Jesus in faith.  To write off Simon as unregenerate because he did not have a right heart in the sight of God potentially puts all genuine believers under a microscope of legalism, for who among us can claim to be upright and righteous except by grace through faith in Jesus?

Because of repeated warnings to Christians throughout the New Testament, we can say without a doubt it is possible for a genuine Christian to be "poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity."  This is not ideal and ought not be the case, but God's people can sin and even be bound by sin as Simon was.  I believe this personal point of application is much more useful for us sinners who need a Saviour than debating whether Simon was saved.  A lack of humble repentance that keeps people from coming to Christ in faith can render us bound by bitterness after we have known Christ.  Praise the LORD He is able to break all our bonds and chains by His divine power, yet if we deny these bonds exist and are proud to wear them He will allow them to burden our souls.  In a moment they can fall from us as the burden did from the back of Christian in Bunyan's allegory when we bow in humility before Jesus.

After choosing to follow Jesus, all Christians have made more bad choices than we can count; our hearts have not always been right in the sight of God.  Peter had insight to recognise a heart that was not right before God because he had been there himself.  We have sinned, and we have neglected repentance and prayer for forgiveness.  The most damning statement made by Simon was in response to Peter's rebuke, whether it betrayed simple ignorance of the Gospel or unwillingness to repent himself in Acts 8:24, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me."  Simon seemed to put the onus of his standing before God upon Peter when repentance was Simon's personal responsibility before God for spiritual regeneration, forgiveness and salvation.  If Simon remained bound it was not Peter's fault, nor was it the fault of Jesus who provided pardon, freedom from sin and is the Way of salvation for all sinners.

If the LORD reveals we are poisoned with bitterness and bound by iniquity, let us be the first to desire hearts that are right in the sight of God shown by repentance for our wickedness and ask God in prayer to forgive us.  We can pray confidently and boldly to this end as we by faith enter God's throne room of grace through Jesus, knowing He has satisfied the justice of God by His shed blood.  1 John 1:9 says to believers, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  God who made the bitter waters of Marah sweet and the undrinkable water of Jericho refreshing can transform our hearts by His goodness and grace.