MEMBER ARTICLE
MEMBER ARTICLE
By MITCH Worthy |
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ANYONE
who grew up in the United States , especially in the Bible Belt like me , knows that Christians are divided when it comes to worship services . We are divided on denomination , worship times , worship styles , and anything else we can dream up . Let β s face it : the church would be perfect if it weren β t for people . One Biblical example to back this up is Romans 7:18 . β For I know that nothing good dwells in me , that is , in my flesh . For I have the desire to do what is right , but not the ability to carry it out β ( Romans 7:18 , ESV ).
There are numerous other examples , but we all know how hard it is to deal with people . But that β s what God called us to do .
Before discussing division , look at the best Bible verse I can think of for Christian unity . John 17:20-21 . Here , Jesus is praying for us before He is betrayed ! He speaks : β I do not ask for these only , but also for those who will believe in me through their [ the apostles ] word , that they may all be one , just as you , Father , are in me , and I in you , that they also may be in us , so that the world may believe that you have sent me β ( John 17:20-21 , ESV ).
Do you hear our Savior β s desire for Christian unity ? This same common chord of Christian unity is all through the Bible . So why do we , and why have we , so often gotten it wrong ? That β s a great question ; I β m glad you asked .
So , let β s look at why we fall into these unintentional divisions . I call them unintentional because most
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people have good intentions , or , most likely , we β ve been raised in a society that worked this way , so we never questioned it . It β s just β always been that way .β Have you ever heard that before in a chapter meeting ? Speaking of chapters , CMA is unintentionally divided to a degree as well . Some may fall into the previously mentioned church divisions , but I believe they are more subtle and easier to overlook . We β re structured and built along regions , states , areas , and chapters , and it β s easy to fall into the comfort zones of our areas . It β s easy to focus on your chapter or area and miss a nearby chapter event that may be well within your sphere of influence because it wasn β t on your radar . And let β s face it , most of us found CMA because we liked to ride motorcycles , so why won β t we take a day trip to get to know other brothers and sisters in Christ ? We could focus on this area , especially when an event or even a struggling chapter is on the edge of their region .
What else would promote unity within CMA ? Let β s look at what CMA β s doctrinal statement says : The Christian Motorcyclists Association is interdenominational and evangelistic in nature . We believe in :
β’ The Bible as the inspired and infallible Word of God
β’ One God , eternally existent in three persons : Father , Son , and Holy Spirit
β’ The virgin birth and deity of Christ , His explicit atoning death , bodily resurrection , and Ascension
β’ Salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ
β’ The sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit who enables a believer to live holy
β’ The second coming of Jesus Christ All of the bullet points in our doctrinal statement are primary issues . We cannot bend on these issues , which are fundamental for all true Christians . Everything else that we divide is a secondary issue . The first line that states that we are β interdenominational and evangelistic in nature β points to our unity in Christ , primary issues , and against anything that would divide us . Such dividing topics are usually secondary issues . Evangelism is simply sharing the Gospel and telling people about Christ . And sometimes , when people know that β s what we β re about , merely showing up with your back patch on does the job .
Have you ever witnessed a weak or seemingly unutilized chapter ? I would bet that they aren β t unified with the core of CMA and are becoming lukewarm Christians altogether . Let β s face it : it β s easy to get busy with life , family , and worldly responsibilities while losing focus on what Christ did for us and the unity and obedience He wants from us . So , in light of this , and regardless of your secondary beliefs , let β s focus on the primary issues , gather up with other CMA brothers and sisters in Christ , and go out changing the world , one heart at a time ! CMA
Mitch Worthy is a member of Wheels of Faith # 1090 , out of Clinton , Mississippi .
23βͺNOVEMBER 2024βͺwww . cmausa . org