Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? These words have passed into a proverb, which fact is in itself a proof that they accord with human experience. I. HARMONY OF SENTIMENT AND PURPOSE ALONE CAN ENSURE AGREEMENT IN LIFE. The spiritual is a key to the outward life. And this holds not only with regard to the individual, but with regard to society. Because people live together in a house, they are not necessarily a true family; because they meet together in an ecclesiastical building, they are not therefore a true congregation; because they occupy the same territory, they are not therefore a true nation. There must be inner accord in order that fellowship may be real. II. WANT OF HARMONY OF HEART WILL SURELY MANIFEST ITSELF IN LIFE. This is the other side of the same law. The strifes of society are an indication of conflicting principles. Even Christ came to send, not peace, but a sword. Where there is no agreement, one will walk in this road and another in that. External uniformity is of little value. In fact, manifest discord may be of service in revealing the want of spiritual unity, and so leading to repentance. III. IN THE RELATION BETWEEN GOD AND MAN AGREEMENT IS ONLY TO BE ATTAINED BY THE CONFORMITY OF MAN'S MIND AND WILL TO GOD'S. It is not to be expected, it is not to be desired, that God's purpose should bend to man's. The human ignorance must accept the Divine wisdom, and the human error and sin must embrace the Divine grace and holiness. Such is the teaching of revelation, of the Law, and of the gospel. IV. WHERE THERE IS WANT OF HARMONY BETWEEN (GOD AND MAN, IT IS FOR MAN TO SEEK THE RECONCILIATION AND UNITY WHICH ALONE CAN BRING ABOUT MAN'S WELFARE. If these blessings were not offered, there would be room to doubt their accessibility. But the revelation of God's counsels in Scripture assures us that our heavenly Father desires that his children should be at one with him. - T. Parallel Verses KJV: Can two walk together, except they be agreed? |
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