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DIVISION AND RESENTMENT
OR UNITY AND FORGIVENESS can creep
Division into chapter life and your personal life without you even knowing it . It can split relationships , create unhealthy chapters , erase the unity Christ has planned for us , and make us ineffective in our evangelistic outreach . The Bible reads in Mark 3 , “ And if a kingdom is divided against itself , that kingdom cannot stand . If a house is divided against itself , that house will not be able to stand ” ( Mark 3:24-25 , NASB ).
I believe this division sometimes starts with being hurt or feeling wronged by someone , which builds resentment if not dealt with immediately . Sometimes we get upset with someone because we perceive they hurt someone else and then won ’ t let that go either . We can all admit that we have felt resentment from hurt or disagreements in our past or present . I believe the challenge to you and me is to figure a way to forgive and get past the offense so that unity is restored and our walks and ministry are effective .
Imagine if Jesus were to hold onto the times we hurt Him or did things not precisely how He would have . What would our relationship be like if Jesus wasn ’ t the incredible Savior full of grace and mercy ? Aren ’ t we called to be more like Christ as He dwells
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within us ? Maybe we should be full of grace and mercy .
“ So , as those who have been chosen of God , holy and beloved , put on a heart of compassion , kindness , humility , gentleness , and patience ; bearing with one another , and forgiving each other , whoever has a complaint against anyone ; just as the Lord forgave you , so must you do also . In addition to all these things put on love , which is the perfect bond of unity ” ( Colossians 3:12-14 , NASB ).
We are those chosen of God , not only in salvation but also called to a ministry , a work that is of utmost importance . God commands us to forgive others , just as He forgave us . This work is only effective when we choose to put Christ as most important over our differences . Deciding in the flesh whether we resent or forgive is useless ; we can only find unity in Christ .
How often should we forgive ? “ Then Peter came up and said to Him , “ Lord , how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him ? Up to seven times ?” Jesus said to him , “ I do not say to you , up to seven times , but up to seventy times seven ’” ( Matthew 18:21-22 , NASB ).
As a chapter full of brothers and sisters in Christ all trying to be used by God to further the Kingdom , we can have fun , effective ministry , and God-given growth of our chapters when we
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unite in love for Christ , love for our fellow workers , and love for the people who do not yet know Jesus . The key is to forgive freely , keep our hearts focused on Jesus ’ return , and live in unity with the team of believers God called to work together in this wonderful ministry . How much more effective will we be if we show how gracious we can be to our fellow servants . The world will want that in their lives as well .
The Bible states in Psalms 133 , “ Behold , how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to live together in unity !” ( Psalms 133:1 , NASB ).
When non-CMA ’ ers or newly interested people come to ride with us , attend a local chapter meeting , or other CMA event , what will they find ? Will they find a divided house or one of unity , full of compassion , forgiveness , and a love for each other that draws people to us ?
I believe it is in these latter days that , as time grows near , we need to allow God to have His perfect way in our lives . We will find joy in service to the Wonderful King who is worthy of all we have .
“ He must increase , but I must decrease ” ( John 3:30 , NASB ).
The more we allow Christ to have our whole heart and increase in us , the more our flesh will decrease . The more we decrease , the more we will be able to forgive those who have
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