Biblical Reflections · Christian Life
Can Two Walk Together Unless They Agree?
4 min read, approximately
Amos 3:3
“Can two walk together unless they agree?”
Disagreements in dating, marriage, raising children, work, and business… At first we hear phrases such as: “When I bring up going to church, my partner avoids the subject, but we get along really well”, “My business partner bribes people, but the idea is for us to grow; he is honest with me”, “We have been married for so long, and we have talked countless times about stopping this behavior, but my spouse insists on doing it… Still, they call and tell me they love me”, “My boss has asked me to do something illegal, but it is only this once”… Only to end up saying: “Why is this happening to me?!” “Lord, why do you allow this to happen to me?!” “Can two walk together unless they agree?”
Perhaps an Emphatic “NO!” Comes to Mind
Yet, because of the excitement and attraction around us, we see that many people walk together, but that does not mean they agree. Marital relationships, relationships between parents and children, social relationships, and working relationships lose their appeal because people do not come to an agreement… It is like 2 people pulling on opposite ends of a rope: they use up their strength and enthusiasm and get nowhere!
“Two are better than one, because they receive a better return for their work. If they fall, one will lift up the other. But pity the one who is alone and falls, with no one there to help them up! Also, if two lie down together, they keep each other warm; but how can one keep warm alone?” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-11)
If we cannot agree, one thing is certain: we will waste a great deal of time and end in complete failure!
“…Every kingdom divided against itself is devastated, and a house divided against itself falls.” (Luke 11:17b)
But Is There a Key to Reaching Satisfactory Agreements? How Can We Know with Whom We Can Agree?
Everything has an order, so let us look:
1.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the person of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
“Jesus said to him: I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
And “For all who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s children.” (Romans 8:14)
If the Bible is our instruction manual, we will first be in agreement with God. We will recognize that Christ is our only Way, Truth, and Life, and, what is more, the Holy Spirit will guide us. In other words, we will be God’s children.
\2. But What If the Other Person, or We Ourselves, Do Not Have This Standard?
“Therefore the LORD said: If you return, I will restore you, and you will stand before me. If you separate what is precious from what is worthless, you will be as my mouth. Let them turn to you, but do not turn to them.” (Jeremiah 15:19)
So, then?
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership does righteousness have with unrighteousness? What fellowship does light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15)
An agreement with someone who does not share the first point… Will it end well? Perhaps yes, perhaps no… Since we do not know the outcome, is it worth gambling with our time? It is better for Jesus Christ to be at the center of our agreement.
Let us remember that when we accept Jesus as our Lord, this means that he rules even over our decisions and agreements!
What Do We Say: Good Agreements, or Disagreements and Regrets?
_**Remember to stop by the Songbook
May God continue to bless you, and may you continue to have a wonderful day in Christ Jesus!