The prophet, Amos, conveys a powerful concept about how God would have us walk in wholehearted union and in step with Him, or agreement and alignment with Him. He points us in the direction of learning God’s higher ways so we can live in alignment and rhythm with Him—for our good and His glory. In Amos 3:3 he asks a simple, yet very profound question.
Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
RELEVANCE
To appreciate the depth of his message we need to understand the concepts illustrated through the words used. Both Hebrew words convey a sense of a close-knit, intimate, bonded type of union and circumspect, causative, righteous walk that is contrast to a mere broad, common or casual type of dynamic expressed through different words. It is the kind of close-knit, circumspect walk that Paul also speaks about in Galatians that is contrast to a casual, common type of walk. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). How so?
Think of this as people running in a two-legged race. Two people are joined together, one by the right leg and the other by the left leg. They can only succeed by walking in precise unity and alignment, step-by-step together, in rhythm.
So, God looks for us to walk with Him in such wholehearted agreement and rhythm. Such kind of agreement comes as we submit and yield to the multidimensional grace and leadership of the Holy Spirit. David, the man after God’s own heart, learned the depths of this valuable truth.
The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men,
To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.
— Psalm 14:2
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
— Psalm 51:11-12
Consider, therefore, the deeper issues relating to how people establish agreements to do business together—even live together. We each come to the table with our ideas, opinions, motivations, goals and understanding. Sometimes we are very like-minded and have the same interests and understanding, so agreement comes easy. Other times we have to work hard to iron out our differences and come to points of mutual agreement so we can work together with little friction. All is good as long as both parties work and walk together with right intentions and in integrity. As the stakes get higher and challenges increase, however, our agreements are tested,
God, too, tests our heart and faithfulness to assess our faith, inner strength, resilience and integrity. Such qualities enable us to overcome challenges and conflict so we can prosper and He be glorified. David learned, “the righteous God tests the hearts and minds” (Psalm 7:9).
God’s goal is to grow and strengthen our faith and faithfulness to trust us with more. So, the more we are in agreement and alignment with God, the better we can flow in rhythm with God, and more He can entrust us with. Coming into greater measures of agreement and alignment with God takes making adjustments—in our values, vision and virtue—or character.
Values define and shape us. They form the foundation and framework of our beliefs, and therefore,our thoughts, motivations, goals, purposes, priorities, responses, emotions and actions. Vision enables us to see issues relating to present situations to project ramifications into the future. Vision encompasses insight and foresight and helps us connect the dots of life. Virtues define our character, expressing how we do what we do.It’s what others see. They form the substance bringing our endeavors—our missions and goals—to fruition.
How do these dynamics play out? Our values establish the baseline for our motivations and purposes. The Holy Spirit strengthens vision—insight and foresight—to bring focus and clarity to develop priorities and plans, directing our actions in alignment with God’s will. Our virtue determines the effectiveness and fruitfulness of our actions. So, when our values are congruent with God’s, we see things with strengthened vision from God’s perspective. We find fog dissipating and confusion turning into clarity. That strengthens faith and confidence. As a result, we find greater courage, wisdom and fortitude to press forward through challenges to experience God’s blessings and bear good fruit for His glory. Without spiritual vision, we are at a disadvantage.
If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves;
But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.
— Proverbs 29:18 (MSG)
When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. 14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.
— 1 Corinthians 2:13-15 (NLT)
So, being grounded in God’s values and vision, the Holy Spirit imparts measures of the virtue of Christ; His character and strength, producing authentic fruit of the Spirit. It’s truly through His virtue that we can apprehend God’s higher thoughts and walk and work in His higher ways (Isaiah 55:9) to achieve His greater purposes. Through such grace, God’s way is established, His truth is revealed and His life bears fruit through us for His glory.
REFLECTION
In what ways do you think you need to come into greater agreement with God?
In the areas where you agree with God’s Word are there things that you might need to refocus upon?