My commentary says that with so much division and dissension among professing Christians these days, we desperately need what Matthew 18 has to teach. "Jesus rebuked His disciples for their pride and desire for worldly greatness, and He taught them three essentials for unity and harmony."
First was humility -- "That grace that, when you know you have it, you've lost it." It continued, "When Christians are living for themselves and not for others, then there is bound to be conflict and division ... True humility means knowing yourself, accepting yourself, and being yourself -- you BEST self -- to the glory of God ... The truly humble person does not deny the gifts God has given him, but uses them to the glory of God ... The truly humble person helps to build others up, not to tear them down. He is a stepping-stone, not a stumbling block. Therefore, anything that makes me stumble must be removed from my life, for if it is not, I cause others to stumble."
The other two essentials are covered in the next parts of the chapter.
Father, the last few years have been times where I feel You have truly been working on this in my life. Thank You for telling me in these verses not to deny the gifts You've given me, but to use them to Your glory. Help me to do that.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
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