In Harmony with God and men
Costa Dier
“Again, I tell you, if two of you agree on earth, whatever they ask for will be done for them by my Father, who is in heaven.” Matthew 18, verse 19.
The Lord Jesus assures us again and again in Scripture that He hears and answers our prayers. This certainty is essential for the Christian to have peace and joy in his life. But this security, which is granted and guaranteed by the Master, first requires harmony, unity, a bond between brothers and that they be interwoven as a whole, molded in their motives, attitudes and actions. The Lord is interested, above all else, in our entering the very place of divine amalgamation. This is the most important step of all those that follow.
Not being in harmony with God results in not being in harmony with men. When we have a right relationship with the Father, one that is maintained through continuous communion, humility and absolute obedience, it is inevitable that we realize that, as brothers in the family of faith, our hearts are intertwined. And by living with each other we can see that the Spirit has been speaking the same thing to everyone; that is, what is in the heart of the Father.
Be perfectly united.
Paul exhorted the Corinthians saying: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no dissensions among you, but that ye be perfectly united in the same mind and in the same opinion.” ”. 1 Corinthians 1, verse 10. For everyone to speak the same thing and agree in thought and attitude, an action is needed on the part of each individual, who is seriously interested in pleasing the heart of the Father. Before we can flow together as brothers, each person must have a burning desire to be aligned with the will and purpose of God, as well as Christ our model.
Unity precedes communion.
The fall distorted the man's faculties causing them to malfunction; It also gave way to the separation between God and man. In this way, the senses of correspondence suffered damage that caused disunity with the Lord. Now man is out of contact, time, rhythm and harmony with God.
Returning to have a sweet communion and unity with the Father is the call of the Spirit in these times.
When we observe the divine unity that existed between the Father and the Son, we can find that the Lord Jesus was totally surrendered, submitted, in harmony and in tune with the voice of God. He could say: “I and the Father are one” John 10, verse 30.
The secret of divine union.
The Lord Jesus stated in John 8, verse 28 that the Father taught him what he knew. In John 15, verse 15 it says that He heard the voice of the Father…in John 8, verse 38 that He saw the Father…in John, verse 17 that He works with the Father…in John 2, verse 4 that He is aligned with the Father…in John 5, verse 30 that He seeks the will of the Father. Christ maintained perfect submission and delight in God; that's all.
Vertical harmony.
Vertical harmony results in horizontal harmony. The gospel is not a doctrine of language, but a life in total harmony and agreement with the Father and with our brothers. The reason why many followers have weakened along the way is because they lack a loving unity with their Lord, and maintain a sweet daily communion, so that the inner man is nourished and strengthened.
Unity precedes productivity.
The miracle of achieving true unity in the Spirit in purpose and heart surpasses in value many things in life. It brings our focus to seeing things as God sees them; He brings our will into alignment with His, and allows our minds to submit to His. In that realm of unity, no selfish thought dwells nor can any evil act penetrate, because the atmosphere is divinely electrified by His presence and impregnated by his glory.
Paul's formula.
It is evident that before we can agree in prayer, we must unite our objectives. Therefore, it behooves us to consider the formula of divine unity that the Spirit revealed to Paul in Ephesians 4, verses 1 to 3. “I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling to which you have.” called; with all humility and meekness, patiently bearing with one another in love; eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
a) ALL...NO RESERVATIONS.
Willingness to subdue our assets.
b) HUMILITY...WITHOUT SELF JUSTIFICATION.
Willingness to submit our opinions
c) MEEKNESS…NO PRIDE.
Willingness to submit our honor.
d) PATIENCE…WITHOUT REPROACH.
Willingness to submit our character.
e) ENDURING…WITHOUT SELF CONSIDERATION.
Willingness to submit our rights.
f) SOLICITIVE...NO SELF-PITY.
Willingness to submit our self.
Each of these divine qualities eliminates the self and all its harmful manifestations. As each of these characteristics become a reality in our daily lives, unity can be preserved.
These conditions are a prerequisite if we are to achieve perfect harmony in our relationships before we stand before the Throne. It is an undeniable fact that unless we truly consider achieving this goal, we will not be able to fulfill His will in prayer.
In his statement, Paul gave us divine precepts to maintain true unity in the Body of Christ. These are the strings that produce the heavenly harp symphony. They are the principles that can ensure perfect harmony; the qualities that weave the saints with eternal cords of love. When we begin to collaborate in this divinely appointed task, His mind will find full expression through us, and in this way, we will find that it is easy to agree in prayer.
Minority and Majority Unity
This particular promise does not require an entire nation to be in agreement or unity, not even a city or a local church. Two people who agree in prayer are heard. The Master said that if two agreed in His Name, this would be done. Does this move our hearts and awaken in us the desire to respond to His call? Will the individualistic believer, the one who isolates and segregates himself, rise up and put aside his frustration for a fresh search for the Lord in this time of crisis?
Will you look for a prayer partner? One who has been dealt with by the Spirit of God and has come face to face with the challenge of unity?
The seismograph in the days of the apostles would testify to this. Whether unity prevails in the minority or the majority the result is always glorious and wonderful. In Acts 16, verse 25 to 26 when Paul and Silas prayed, an earthquake shook the foundations of the prison and its jailer. In Acts 4, verse 31, when the disciples prayed, the place shook. Unity in prayer is the most powerful force.
Scriptural summary.
The Scriptures prove the profound reality that unity among a small number of brothers moves God to act. “How could one chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight?” Deuteronomy 32, verse 30. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst.” Matthew 18, verse 20.
This truth is emphasized again in Ecclesiastes 4, verses 9 to 12. “Two are better than one; because they have better pay for their work. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion: but woe to the alone! that when he falls, there will be no second to lift him up. Also if two sleep together, they will be warm; but how will one warm himself? And if anyone prevails against one, two will be against him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” “Would two of them walk together, if they were not in concert?” Amos 3, verse 3.
May the Spirit, who intercedes according to the will of God, make this truth a reality in our lives today.