Amos 3.3, a thoughtful verse: "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"

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stunnedbygrace

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Makes me consider the Tower of Babel and how the confusion stopped them from building up.

Yes! I have absolutely seen this too.

If God doesn't like what's being built, a manmade construct to make a name for oneself and not be scattered, He isn't going to unconfuse the language. It isn't a manmade construct, a tower of systematic theology, that will ever bring unity rather than scattering. It is men walking in the Spirit with one another that does that. But men think unity in Spirit means all must agree on every nitpicked point and they are wrong.

The good news is that the tower of Babel can work in reverse too, but with Gods pleasure. When we begin to walk in the Spirit together, it is speaking the same language and nothing becomes impossible for us!
 

stunnedbygrace

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This idea that, because I think Jesus will gather us together in the air before the time of testing coming on the whole world while you think He wont, means we cannot walk together in the Spirit, is wrong.

That's just put as an example. I could have said...this idea that we can't have unity walking in the Spirit together because I don't think men are born immortal and therefore think the second death for humans isn't eternal torture, while you think the opposite..m
 
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farouk

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This idea that, because I think Jesus will gather us together in the air before the time of testing coming on the whole world while you think He wont, means we cannot walk together in the Spirit, is wrong.
...but unity without truth is a conspiracy, as someone has said.
 

stunnedbygrace

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...but unity without truth is a conspiracy, as someone has said.

Jesus IS truth. Does that mean you or I know everything? Am I wrong in my understanding on some things? Are you? How then will this impossible thought that we must agree on everything before we can have unity even work? Aren't I still learning and having my mind being renewed? Aren't you? So its like saying...I can never have a bond of love with the baby in the family because we aren't in agreement on everything.
 

farouk

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Jesus IS truth. Does that mean you or I know everything? Am I wrong in my understanding on some things? Are you? How then will this impossible thought that we must agree on everything before we can have unity even work? Aren't I still learning and having my mind being renewed? Aren't you? So its like saying...I can never have a bond of love with the baby in the family because we aren't in agreement on everything.
He is indeed; but there are many who call themselves Christians whose actual beliefs about the blessed Person and Work of the Lord Jesus are not even Biblical; this is why spiritual unity in Him is in truth, according to the Scriptures.
 

stunnedbygrace

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He is indeed; but there are many who call themselves Christians whose actual beliefs about the blessed Person and Work of the Lord Jesus are not even Biblical; this is why spiritual unity in Him is in truth, according to the Scriptures.

Except that none of us is full grown and none of us are without some error and not in need of more understanding.

Maybe I am right that He will gather us together and keep us from that time of testing and you are wrong, or vice versa. Are you saying we cannot walk in the Spirit together until we know for sure?

That has to be wrong, because we will not be perfect in a second. It would mean there can be no walking in the Spirit together while on earth.
 
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farouk

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Except that none of us is full grown and none of us are without some error and not in need of more understanding.

Maybe I am right that He will gather us together and keep us from that time of testing and you are wrong, or vice versa. Are you saying we cannot walk in the Spirit together until we know for sure?

That has to be wrong, because we will not be perfect in a second. It would mean there can be no walking in the Spirit together while on earth.
The walk first and foremost is Godward. Acts 2.42 can be practised among small groups or large, but the goal of an earthly organized religious conglomerate is illusory and unScriptural; true unity is spiritual.
 
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stunnedbygrace

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The walk first and foremost is Godward. Acts 2.42 can be practised among small groups or large, but the goal of an earthly organized religious conglomerate is illusory and unScriptural; true unity is spiritual.

I agree true unity is spiritual. I disagree that true unity means neither of us can be in error anywhere. That would mean you have to be already perfected and I have to be already perfected before there can be unity in the Spirit between us. And if we both were already perfected and knew all truth, I would not need to bear with you or forgive you ever.
 
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brakelite

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I guess the point is that the aim of one big organizational church conglomerate is illusory and unScriptural anyway.

Best for each local congregation to look to the Lord directly.
I think in comparing every organisational structure to Babel is a little unfair. My own views on why and how Babel was formed is here. seen The God that mankind is rebelling against doesn't exist.
I don't think every church structure is fashioned after the same template or according to the same agenda. However, I absolutely agree that local congregations should have a certain amount of autonomy, while being overseen (not bossed) by a council.
 

stunnedbygrace

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He is indeed; but there are many who call themselves Christians whose actual beliefs about the blessed Person and Work of the Lord Jesus are not even Biblical; this is why spiritual unity in Him is in truth, according to the Scriptures.

I hear what you are saying. And there is a man in here who I have a difficult time with because he is very vocal and insistent that Jesus is not God while I think He is. Has he received the Holy Spirit? I don't know. I also see great pride and arrogance in his responses. I don't see how walking with him in the Spirit is possible, because I don't even see that he IS walking in the Spirit.
 
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brakelite

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I agree true unity is spiritual. I disagree that true unity means neither of us can be in error anywhere. That would mean you have to be already perfected and I have to be already perfected before there can be unity in the Spirit between us. And if we both were already perfected and knew all truth, I would not need to bear with you or forgive you ever.
I think you and I are on the same page here. Unity first and foremost must be our union with Christ. Regardless of any doctrinal differences, if we are in Christ, branches on the same Vine, we have a form of unity. We then grow at our own pace, according to the Vine's will and purpose. What will eventually be in common with all believers on the last day which will see all translated, is their character...and growth in character and perfection in character doesn't necessarily mean a perfect understanding of every Biblical truth revealed in scripture. Even rose buds, not having experienced a lot of growth, are perfect in their own way, and no more nor less perfect than a full bloom.
 

101G

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What about us(speaking in general). The multitude of strongly held differing beliefs never in agreement?
Makes me consider the Tower of Babel and how the confusion stopped them from building up.
fear not none of the above.

#1. 1 John 3:7 "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous"

James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him". (one need to read that again.)

James 1:6 "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
James 1:7 "For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
James 1:8 "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

#2. "the Tower of Babel" ..... no way.
Matthew 16:18 "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it".

so no Tower of Babel in God's Church, maybe in others, but not God church. that we can count on.

now as for "speaking in general", listen, Revelation 4:5 "And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God".

yes, "VOICES" other words speaking. scripture, 2 Thessalonians 2:10 "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2 Thessalonians 2:11 "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2 Thessalonians 2:12 "That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness".

Now we would like you to read, 1 Kings 22:12 - 22 and see, or understand what happen. and then you will understand 2 Thessalonians 2:10, in what you desire to believe.

PICJAG.
 

stunnedbygrace

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I think you and I are on the same page here. Unity first and foremost must be our union with Christ. Regardless of any doctrinal differences, if we are in Christ, branches on the same Vine, we have a form of unity. We then grow at our own pace, according to the Vine's will and purpose. What will eventually be in common with all believers on the last day which will see all translated, is their character...and growth in character and perfection in character doesn't necessarily mean a perfect understanding of every Biblical truth revealed in scripture. Even rose buds, not having experienced a lot of growth, are perfect in their own way, and no more nor less perfect than a full bloom.

Let's say I see someone who always seems to be walking in the Spirit, gentle, humble, slow to anger, not arrogant or nasty in posts, one who I rarely see be pulled from walking in Spirit to get into a flesh filled clobberfest. And yet, I think the man is real, real off in some of his doctrine or doesn't seem to see the Spirit of the word much but rather the literal mostly.

Then say I see another man who seems to have some understanding of the Spirit of the word, who I don't think is real far off on any doctrinal thoughts. Yet I see such awful freshly displays of anger, arrogance in replies, the inability to walk away and think and come back later to say, I was very nasty and sharp with you and I want to say I'm sorry. You just will never hear that out of Him.

I would rather hear the first man speak, and would rather talk with the first man, even if I think he is greatly off in some places. Because he's walking in the Spirit and showing the fruit of it.

I still have no idea if that second man has received the Holy Spirit, but I do know at least that he definitely isn't WALKING for any length of time in the Spirit yet.
 
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bbyrd009

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Thank-you!

This is the King James phrasing of 3.3:

"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"
Fwiw there are two ways to Read that, ok. The reply that is inferred is usually the opposite of the correct reply, in order to hide wisdom from the wise I guess
 

bbyrd009

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Yes! I have absolutely seen this too.

If God doesn't like what's being built, a manmade construct to make a name for oneself and not be scattered, He isn't going to unconfuse the language. It isn't a manmade construct, a tower of systematic theology, that will ever bring unity rather than scattering. It is men walking in the Spirit with one another that does that. But men think unity in Spirit means all must agree on every nitpicked point and they are wrong.

The good news is that the tower of Babel can work in reverse too, but with Gods pleasure. When we begin to walk in the Spirit together, it is speaking the same language and nothing becomes impossible for us!
!
 

bbyrd009

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Jesus IS truth. Does that mean you or I know everything? Am I wrong in my understanding on some things? Are you? How then will this impossible thought that we must agree on everything before we can have unity even work? Aren't I still learning and having my mind being renewed? Aren't you? So its like saying...I can never have a bond of love with the baby in the family because we aren't in agreement on everything.
Wow, I wish I could talk like you, very nice imo

and I don't agree with everything you believe, too
:)
 

farouk

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I agree true unity is spiritual. I disagree that true unity means neither of us can be in error anywhere. That would mean you have to be already perfected and I have to be already perfected before there can be unity in the Spirit between us. And if we both were already perfected and knew all truth, I would not need to bear with you or forgive you ever.
'...in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.' (Proverbs 11.14)
 
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Taken

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"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Amos 3.3

Food for thought...

Good Post.

Yes, that would be a basic conclusion regarding two people.

However I believe on a deeper note...
When the thoughts of ones MIND and the thoughts of ones SPIRIT (in his Heart) are NOT in agreement; the man walks in Disagreement with himself.

Kind of a rocky road to walk with an other IN agreement, when one is in Disagreement with himself.

The Scriptural teaching is:
ONCE a man IS IN agreement in his SPIRIT, with Christ, they walk together SPIRITUALLY, and the MAN is SUPPOSED TO Using the Internal Spiritual Power of God to conform his own MIND in subjection TO the thoughts of his spirit.

If an when a man accomplished THAT ^, he is said to have a MIND LIKE CHRIST.

Forward, the man can continue to Walk IN the SPIRIT with Christ AND Walk with other men also in the Spirit of Christ AND those who have also a MIND LIKE CHrIST.

Glory to God,
Taken