A MEDITATION: WALKING TOGETHER VERSUS BEING AT ODDS WITH ONE ANOTHER Can two walk together, except they be agreed?--Amos 3:3 (KJV) Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?--Amos 3:3 (New Living Translation) Ive pondered this verse here and there. What does it mean to agree? On what? Everything? Only on the essentials? People who minister together, walk together and live together must, at least, have a general agreement on the direction. We cant both insist on different directions and hope to get anywhere. Therefore, we discuss, pray, wait, compromise, until the path comes into focus. To come into agreement can mean shared values, perspectives, mindsets, worldview, ambitions, etc. Thank God that where people differ, theres always room for growth, change, seeing the light, and some Holy Spirit-tweaking. Not that two people have to be identical or agree on everything, but the things that God wants to change He will change. Part of the process of relationship is coming into balance, BECAUSE of the influence of the other person. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.--Proverbs 27:17 This verse is in the context of God walking with Israel. When God makes the choice for us to walk with another person, He wants us to be EQUALLY-YOKED with other BELIEVERS. I emphasize the word BELIEVERS, because unity comes when both people are looking to God through prayer and the Word, submitting to His Will and believing what He said about Himself and the Word being the ultimate authority for their lives. Despite the leaders in any authority structure, God is the ultimate Leader and, therefore, must be allowed to cast the final vote on any decision made. We may have different personalities, gifts, leanings, concerns, views on various issues, but the common ground must be the Holy Spirit (who baptizes each into the same Body of Christ), a shared conviction that the Bible is the Word of God (and we will live by it and be guided by it) and Gods united will for people He brings together. Different people working in combination fulfill the will of God. Its just a matter of getting those different people to co-exist and work together harmoniously. God takes His own counsel. He has a plan and purpose for every relationship He puts together. He already has in mind the how, when, who, what and, most importantly, the why. If its God, He already has in mind how he will work out the differences. All we need to do is trust, obey, abide and pray. He is the CENTER of the wheel for which all the varied spokes find their TOGETHER point, balance, proper placement and alignment. When were not properly related to Him, our relationships can suffer, especially those that are most important to us. This reminds me of when Joshua stood before the captain of the host of the army of the Lord and he basically asked him, Are you for us or are you for them? He replied, Neither. (Joshua 5:13-15) He was for Himself, because it was Gods plan, Gods way, Gods battle for Gods purpose. In other words, He doesnt take sides, Hes His own side. For us to be together, we cant cling strongly to our own side at the expense of relationship, we must both gather to His side. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.--(1 John 1:7) Two very different people can be joined in God when both side with Him and His purposes, instead of their own interests and determinations. But, God, since He made us the way He did for a reason, can and will use many different things Hes already placed in our lives and hearts collectively to guide us into His will. We can be on the same page on most issues when we look to Gods Word above our own personal preferences, thoughts and ideas and make a commitment to submit to what it says. Any God-appointed relationship requires death to self and the Lordship of Christ to be truly unified! We must each die to ourselves to come into full alignment with God and into full agreement with His purposes. Then well be able to walk TOGETHER wherever He leads and however He makes a way!
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 13:10:18 +0000
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