| Our verse to DATE the Word on March 25 (3/25) is Mark 3:25 |
|---|
| Mark 3:25 says, “And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” |
| UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDE WE FALL. Some of the statements from Jesus are blunt and to the point and as well they are very memorable. Mark 3:25 is one of those statements. “IF A HOUSE IS DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF, THAT HOUSE CANNOT STAND.” While there is power in division such as seen in Exodus 18 where Jethro advises Moses to DIVIDE and Minister by having the Israelites broken up into small groups with group leaders, division can be extremely dangerous and destructive. Whether it is a team or an organization or a home or church divisiveness is detrimental. It is one thing to have a difference of opinion but it is another thing to become divisive. Many times a difference of opinion helps to bring about a better solution. More often than not a divisive opinion drives wedges between people and pushes each other more and more apart. Where does division come from? I think that is a worthy question. Knowing that it is destructive I would think we would want to know what causes it. Divisiveness raises its ugly head when one starts looking out for their own interest. The person only wants what is best for themselves. There is no more seeking to understand. Paul feared the church at Corinth would be quarreling, fueled by jealousy, selfish ambitions, arrogance, etc. Notice 2 Corinthians 12:20 “For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish — that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.” As I worked with the leadership teams at Liberty University we did a full lesson on these NEGATIVE actions – these ENEMIES of a team as these actions are divisive. They divided the team and they destroyed the team. Paul would also write to the Galatians to beware lest they consume – destroy each other. Notice Galatians 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! And Galatians 5:26, “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” Friends, the very real reality is we are ALL different and we have different gifts and different talents and yes, DIFFERENCES, yet we are called to be of the SAME mind and we are called to work together for the cause of Christ. We have ONE Savior. We are a part of ONE body. The common Person is Jesus Christ. The common goal is to make Him known worldwide. There will need to be unity in the unit if that is to happen. We can’t be playing tug-a-war with each other. We need to COMPLETE each other rather than COMPETE with each other! BTW – do you know the difference between competing with one another and completing one other? The L. One letter. L. That is the difference! Put the L in competing and you have completing. What does the L stand for? L stands for LOVE. When you love one another, you don’t compete with one another, you seek and work to complete one another! To keep division and divisiveness out of our lives there are a couple of quick things you can do to build unity. The first is by getting on your knees and praying together as it is hard to kick someone when you are on your knees! Secondly, seek first to understand before seeking to be understood! Thirdly, be more like grapes than marbles. Marbles are hard and unyielding. They never come together. They bang and clash! Grapes are flexible and able to yield. Pressed together they make something very good. Fourth, let us be committed to being ONE for the ONE and only!! The cause of Christ is too important to be divided. Verse to DATE the Word on March 25 (3/25) is Mark 3:25. It says, “And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDE WE FALL. Let us be a TEAM for TOGETHER EACH ACCOMPLISHES MORE! Continue Strong being unified in purpose, And remember to DATE THE WORD |