Small Group World

04.01.10

Conflict and the Cross...Gaining Perspective

Conflict can kill a small group and can cripple a local church to the point she walks with a limp for decades.

Today is Good (or Dark) Friday. We Christians are celebrating (or grieving) the crucifixion of Christ.

There was one moment in history when Jesus had the possibility of being in conflict with others at a level of intensity no one else ever will. He was on the cross. Think about it. His conflict could have been, had He been like you and me, as thick as a blinding fog. Due to Jesus carrying all of our sins He was at odds with His Father. Jesus’ closest friends had left Him high and dry, alone in His most traumatic moments. The Roman soldiers surrounding Him had beaten Jesus, placed Him on a cross, driven a crown of thorns through the flesh surrounding His skull and ridiculed Him with a sign of sarcasm reading “King of the Jews.” The crowd hurled insults at Him and even one of the criminals being crucified with Him was demeaning to Jesus.

In my pain I would have most likely cursed every person on the planet, those who had existed from the Garden of Eden on. After all, if I were Jesus I would have known every one of them and I would be vividly aware that the pain I was suffering was due to their sins, not mine. But not Jesus. In fact, His words were, “Father, forgive them…” (Luke 23:34)

If Jesus could forgive us shouldn’t we forgive anyone for anything? Remember these words that come directly from Christ while hanging on that cross… “…if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15) Now that’s PERSPECTIVE! You think someone has sinned? It would be to your best interest to forgive them.

Don’t allow the greatest moment in human history to be overlooked. Ask yourself who it is that you are angry with or disappointed in. Pray a simple prayer then take the steps in that prayer. Your prayer might go something like this… “Father, I’m hacked at _________________________ (fill in the blank or, if necessary make a list). Please forgive me for my attitude towards them. Help me to realize down deep in my being that the issue is not more important than our relationship with one another and it is certainly not more important than the unity of my small group or church. Please give me the courage to call them. I realize that the only way I’m going to be at peace with them is if I speak with them and ask them to forgive me for my thoughts about them. Even if they don’t forgive me, thank you for clearing my conscience and setting me free from the bitterness I’ve been feeling. I assure You, I will do my best to live at peace with everyone from this point on. Amen.”

The only person you’ll hack off is the only enemy we’re suppose to have, Satan himself.