The Two Temples
(A Christian Workbook)
Section 2: Chapter 5 – Mortar: Agreement
ust as the
way that we individually view the world shapes our personal experiences in this
life (see Section 1: Chapter 5), so the way we view the world as a collective
Body shapes our experiences as a Church, and determines the direction we walk
as a people. The means by which a set of individuals can function together, and
possess the same goals and values is through the principle of agreement. While
the importance of agreement in accomplishing any project is demonstrated in
every aspect of life, it finds no more eloquent advocate than the words of the
Scriptures. It is written, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
(Amos 3:3) With these simple words Amos points out an enduring truth.
When
the judge Samson wished to destroy the harvest of his Philistine enemies, he
used a clever method to do so. We are told, “And Samson said concerning them, ‘Now
shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.’
And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned
tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails. And when he
had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the
Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the
vineyards and olives.” (Judges 15:3-5)
Foxes
are very fast animals, and it has been pointed out that Samson had to have been
very clever, very fast, or the recipient of a miracle, to catch three hundred
of them. If he had merely tied a firebrand to each fox’s tail, there would have
been little chance for complete destruction of the heathen crops. The animals
would merely have fled the area as quickly as they could, and set fire to the
land around them. But by tying the fire between the tails of the creatures Samson
ensured that they would not be able to agree on a direction to run, each trying
to get as far from the fire behind it as quickly as possible. Because of this,
he was able to let them go “into the standing corn,” and was assured that they
would remain there in a confused panic until the foliage was properly consumed.
If
humans attempt to work together, but have a poor concept of agreement, much
destruction likewise results. If members of a Church do this, the very harvest
is in danger of fiery desolation. Christians have a job to do, a sacred
responsibility given to us from Heaven, for Yah desires to work through us for
the ingathering of His people. He said to us, “Go ye into all the world, and
preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be
saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16: 15, 16) This great
work was not committed unto angels, but unto men who have had the experience of
being redeemed by the blood of Yahshua, and can therefore speak from their hearts
and their history.
But
what results if there is no agreement among those who claim to have the truth?
This can be seen most dramatically when we are considering different
denominations and faiths. The great song of the atheist and skeptic, when
casting contempt upon those who profess association with the Messiah is that “there
are all these different churches, all claiming to be right.” The unbelievers
are not to be blamed for this particular observation, because they see that
there is no agreement.
Yet
even within a single organization claiming to be of the Way, this lesson must
be well learned. Paul asks, “whereas there is among you envying, and strife,
and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (1 Corinthians 3:3) When
some of the angels came out of agreement with the Throne of the Most High,
there was a separation between those who remained faithful and those who did
not. It is exactly the same way among men. John writes of some who would no
longer agree with the teachings of the apostles, “Little children, it is the
last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there
many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from
us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt
have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest
that they were not all of us.” (1 John 2:18, 19)
In John’s
day deceptions were seeping into the Church of Yahshua. Indeed, they had begun
long before, and Paul was quick to warn the elders of the congregation at
Ephesus that, “after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not
sparing the flock.” (Acts 20:29) Those who accepted the false teachings began
to spread the deceptions and subtle errors among the sheep of the spiritual
pasture, and the apostles were quick to counter the mistakes. John’s letter
reveals to us that those who would not agree with the apostles’ teachings did
not long remain in the Church, but left to draw disciples after themselves, and
to reveal to all the world that they were not in harmony with the ones who
received the instruction of Christ Himself.
If
those who had received the faulty gospel had been humble, they could have been
shown the errors in a way that would have made sense to their minds, and been
confirmed by their spirits. Solomon counsel us, “Hear instruction, and be wise,
and refuse it not.” (Proverbs 8:33) If someone has the testimony of Yahshua,
and walks according to the light he has, do not refuse to hear him when he speaks.
Healing is possible among the humble, but “Yah resisteth the proud,” as it is
written in James 4:6 and confirmed by the experiences of those early days.
Handling
disagreements is a key to unity, the subject of the next chapter, and it is a
process that is well taught in the words of the Bible. The biggest obstacle to
coming into agreement is that which we have been examining: the Teraphim, the
household gods. Our last few chapters have described them and explained how to
uncover them, and now we see the importance of being clean from these mental
and spiritual idols. The ones who left the Church as John records had made an
idol of their own understanding, their own doctrines. Amazingly, despite the
fact that the apostles, who were in the best possible position to know the
truth, opposed them, they stubbornly resisted submission to their judgment.
While the traditions of men are in opposition to the Divinely inspired truths,
(Mark 7:8) the traditions of the apostles were founded in the teachings and example
of Christ, and are to be trusted. (2 Thessalonians 2:15)
We have
already seen, in previous chapters, the “Gospel Order” for handling
disagreements, and it is worth examining that passage again. It is found here, “Moreover
if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between
thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if
he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth
of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall
neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the
church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” (Mathew
18:15-17)
There
are three stages to this process outlined in the passage. First, go by yourself
to the one with whom you have disagreement. If that does not work, take a
witness or two. If that does not work, as a last resort bring it to public
attention. We find the graciousness of our Father revealed in these steps. He
would have us attempt to establish an agreement amongst ourselves with as few
others involved as possible. What began as a private matter is best settled as
a private matter, and it is always a shame when others must become involved.
Just as
mortar between the stones of a building holds the bricks in place, and causes
them to fit together perfectly even if the edges are not yet fully worn smooth,
so agreement between two individuals causes them to be able to work together as
one, even though they have different minds, opinions, and individual
preferences. The Messiah applies this not only to those of the same faith, but
to anyone at all. He says, “Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art
in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge,
and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.”
(Matthew 5:25) Even when dealing with those who actively seek to do us harm, if
we agree with them in all we are able without compromising principle, we will
avoid much unnecessary strife.
Paul
writes, “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight
of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all
men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath:
for it is written, ‘“Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” saith Yah.’ Therefore if
thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing
thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but
overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21)
Take
note of both the wording of Paul, and the words I have used. The apostle
writes, “if it be possible,” do this, and I pointed out that we must agree with
people “without compromising principle.” There is a place for disagreement,
although it may unfortunately lead to separation. The apostles wrote of this
subject as well, for it was far too important to leave to human opinion. They
gave examples such as this: “A man that is an heretick after the first and
second admonition reject, knowing that he that is such is subverted, and
sinneth, being condemned of himself.” (Titus 3:10, 11)
In
another place Paul writes, “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with
fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the
covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of
the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that
is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a
railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” (1
Corinthians 5:9-11) It is far better to have an open disagreement that others
can see, than to have one claiming to be in unity with you yet actively
opposing your purposes. Solomon writes, “Open rebuke is better than secret
love.” (Proverbs 27:5)
This,
of course, will not occur for any real length of time in the Spiritual Temple,
but it will certainly happen between those of the faith and those who would
tear it down. Paul asks the churches, “And what agreement hath the temple of
Yah with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as Yah hath said, ‘I
will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their Almighty, and they
shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate,’
saith Yah, ‘and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will
be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters,’ saith Yahweh
Almighty.’” (2 Corinthians 6:16-18) We cannot claim to be in agreement with
those whose understanding of Yah, and His purpose for our lives, are in
opposition to our own. From such we are separate by the very nature of our
beliefs, yet within the family of the Holy One these things cannot be.
The
witnesses against Christ were known to be false, because “their witness agreed
not together.” (Mark 14:56) If the witnesses FOR Christ do not agree, they will
be known to be false for exactly the same reasons. The Master prayed for His
disciples “that they may be one,” as we will examine in further detail next
chapter. But the way in which this unity is accomplished is by coming into
agreement. When we can agree on our purpose, when we stand on the same
foundation and are heading for the same goals, then we come into unity.
“Verily
I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and
whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto
you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they
shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew
18:18, 19) This passage follows on the heels of the Gospel order presented
above, and with reason. Christ explains to His followers the great power that
agreement gives to the converts. The prayer of a single man is enough to
produce great miracles. It is written that “Elijah was a man subject to like
passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it
rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.” (James
5:17)
Yes,
where necessary a single man can accomplish the will of the Almighty. Yet He is
pleased to have His people join their petitions together. A sick person is not
encouraged to find a single Church member to pray for him, but rather, “let him
call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him
with oil in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:14) The Bible advises us, “let us
walk by the same rule [of faith], let us mind the same thing.” (Philippians
3:16) “Let us hold fast our profession.” (Hebrews 4:14b) “Let us therefore come
boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) In all these things, we are told, let us agree.
For a
final example on the importance of agreement, we must consider the character of
our Creator Himself. What importance does He place on agreement? If we can
understand this, and grasp it with our hearts, our way cannot but be straight
before Him. In this we become like Him, in that we will be obeying this commandment
to seek agreement, not because He instructed us to do so, but because (as in
all things) it is a part of who He is, and thus shared with us for our
edification, our growth, our very lives.
We
began this series of studies looking at the Egyptian monarch, and his reaction
when Moses came to him and demanded in the name of Yahweh, “Let my people go.”
Some have asked, and the question is a good one, “Why did not Yah simply take
His people? Why did He send Moses to Pharaoh in the first place, when He could
have commanded the Israelites to leave, and could have protected them from the
king’s army?”
The
answer is, “Because of agreement.” Even when the Almighty goes to the extreme
of constraining someone, forcing them to perform an action due to an
overwhelming need on the part of His elect, He always seeks to obtain as much
agreement from all parties as possible. While Yah is Sovereign, He has an
incredible and almost inexplicable respect for the freedom He has given His
created beings. From man He desires love, and thus He has created us with the
ability to choose. “Where the Spirit of Yah is, there is liberty,” we are told,
(2 Corinthians 3:17) and it is only in that atmosphere of liberty that we may
truly choose to love.
Yah
desired that Pharaoh let the Israelites go. His will would not be restrained by
the course of one arrogant human, of course, and so the Almighty sent steadily
increasing plagues in an attempt to convince the heathen monarch of His power,
giving him an opportunity at every step to bow to the One infinitely greater
than himself. This is in line with the Gospel Order, an attempt to cause as
small a stir as possible. Yet “Pharaoh hardened his heart,” (Exodus 8:32) and
because it was at Yah’s plagues, and because it was allowed by Heaven, it is
also written that “Yahweh hardened the heart of Pharaoh.” (Exodus 9:12) Both
are true, yet we see from the actions of both parties that while the decrees of
the Almighty were those that caused the heart to be hardened, it was the king’s
own choices that ultimately led to his rejection of the Spirit of grace.
This is
an important teaching to understand, that Yah takes responsibility for the
decisions of others to some degree, and the wording of the Scriptures supports
this. Yet it must not be thought that any human beings are forced by a Holy God
to sin, or to reject the Author of Life. The “vessels of wrath fitted to
destruction,” (Romans 9:22) those who will ultimately be lost, are so fitted
because of their own choices, for they reject the “much longsuffering” (same
verse) of the loving Father who sought to bring them into agreement while it
was yet day.
The
reason why the Creator did not destroy Lucifer the instant he sinned was
because He desired the entire universe to understand the true results of transgression
before it was removed, so that it would never rise again. It must be
understood, and agreed upon, by the entire universe that Yah is not an
arbitrary Lawmaker. He does not command obedience at a whim, but rather has set
the laws of the universe in place. They are perfect laws for created beings,
and those who obey them will live while those who reject them will necessarily
die. Though Yah knows the end from the beginning, He is sensitive to the fact
that WE do not; while He would have every right to command and perform, for
love’s sake He brings us into agreement before He works.
Of
those who are finally destroyed because of sin, even of those who are lost in
the day of judgment, Yah brings them into agreement. It is written, “‘As I
live,’ saith Yahweh, ‘every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall
confess to God.’” (Romans 14:11) And to Christ, the Judge on that day, “at the
name of Yahshua every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in
earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that
Yahshua the Messiah is Lord, to the glory of Yah the Father.” (Philippians
2:10, 11) When every soul sees the beginning, sees his transgression in light
of the opportunities he was offered to live, sees his rejection of the infinite
sacrifice of the Messiah, then he will understand the mercy and justice of the
Throne.
Their
agreement will be a forced one, as was the agreement of Pharaoh in Egypt, yet
it will be agreement nonetheless, for who can speak against the wisdom of One
who knows all things? But a better thing remains for we who are saved, for the
time remains that man may agree with Yah freely and in peace, and accept
healing, and we are become ministers of that great blessing, that great truth.
Yet
while we take this message to the world, we are aware that in Christ our
agreement has begun at home, in the Spirit Temple. If there is no agreement
there, we will have no safe place into which we may bring converts. Yahshua
said to the Hebrews of a divided and worsening system, “Woe unto you, scribes
and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte,
and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than
yourselves.” (Mathew 23:15) May that never be said of us, for “if a kingdom be
divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided
against itself, that house cannot stand.” (Mark 3:24, 25) This is never more
true than when it is applied to the Spiritual House. Let us not end up as foxes
with burned tails, and no beautiful Harvest to take to the Master. Let us
agree.
Quotations:
Agreement brings man into harmony with Yah:
“A covenant is an agreement by which parties bind themselves and each other to
the fulfillment of certain conditions. Thus the human agent enters into
agreement with God to comply with the conditions specified in His Word. His
conduct shows whether or not he respects these conditions.” [God’s Amazing
Grace, page 158]
“To
them that believe, Christ is precious. His Spirit moving upon the mind and
heart of the believer is in perfect agreement with that which is written in the
Word. The Spirit and the Word agree perfectly. Thus the Spirit beareth witness
with our spirit that we are born of God.” [In Heavenly Places, page 144]
“God
has commanded us, ‘Ye shall be holy; for I the Lord your God am holy;’ and an
inspired apostle declares that without holiness ‘no man shall see the Lord.’
Holiness is agreement with God. By sin the image of God in man has been marred
and well-nigh obliterated; it is the work of the gospel to restore that which
has been lost; and we are to cooperate with the divine agency in this work. And
how can we come into harmony with God, how shall we receive His likeness,
unless we obtain a knowledge of Him? It is this knowledge that Christ came into
the world to reveal unto us.” [Lift Him Up, page 279]
Agreement
brings man into harmony with man:
“Upon the virtue of Christ’s sacrifice for us we are all agreed. His prayer for
us is that we may be made perfect in one. Shall we not, by obeying His word,
make it possible for God to answer this prayer?” [The Signs of the Times,
November 26, 1902]
“In
every place where there are two or three that love God, and keep his
commandments, they should speak often one to another of the blessed hope, and
should unite their prayers at the throne of grace. God will listen to their
humble petitions. He will register their names in his book, and will preserve
them in the hour of trial and temptation. Frequently these little meetings are
precious occasions. Jesus has promised, ‘Where two or three are gathered
together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ And if they ‘shall agree
on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of
my Father which is in heaven.’” [Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald,
October 14, 1884]
“Unless
sanctified, soul, body, and spirit, man will be in danger of manifesting an
unkindly spirit toward his brother who does not agree with his ideas. There is
no such narrowness with God.” [Manuscript Releases Volume Twelve, page
372]
The
principle of agreement allows unity without dictatorship:
“I have seen many families shipwrecked through overmanagement on the part of
their head, whereas through consultation and agreement all might have moved off
harmoniously and well.” [The Adventist Home, page 310]
“If a
man is sanguine of his own powers and seeks to exercise dominion over his
brethren, feeling that he is invested with authority to make his will the
ruling power, the best and only safe course is to remove him, lest great harm
be done, and he lose his own soul, and imperil the souls of others. ‘All ye are
brethren.’” [Christian Leadership, page 35]
“It is
right for the workers to counsel together as brethren; but that man who
endeavors to lead his fellow workers to seek his individual counsel and advice
regarding the details of their work, and to learn their duty from him, is in a
dangerous position and needs to learn what responsibilities are really
comprehended in his office. God has appointed no man to be conscience for his
fellowman. It is not wise to lay so much responsibility upon an officer that he
will feel that he is forced to become a dictator.” [Testimonies to Ministers
and Gospel Workers, page 477]
Agreement
is necessary for the success of the Great Commission:
“The disciples had just been disputing as to who should be the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven. They could not agree. One would claim the honor for himself;
another for himself. None of the disciples were in a proper frame of mind to
comprehend the significance of coming events, or to appreciate the solemnity of
the present occasion. They were not prepared to participate in the Passover
Supper.” [Reflecting Christ, page 261]
“Perfect
agreement should exist in the plans laid for the publication of our books and
periodicals, that the light which they contain may be quickly carried
everywhere, to the nominal churches and to the world. Much more should have
been accomplished in the sale of our books than we see accomplished today.” [Counsels
to Writers and Editors, page 143]
“In
union there is strength; in disunion there is weakness. God’s chosen ones are
to reveal to the world their union one with another. It is not possible for a
few to walk to heaven alone because they can agree with no others. God’s people
are to be a unit. If some entertain ideas so peculiar that others cannot accept
them, they should compare notes in a teachable spirit, and all should be
willing to learn. They should make the most strenuous efforts to be one, to
come into the unity of the faith in the bonds of peace.” [Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, April 27, 1897]
Questions:
1) Can I think of examples in the Bible where two people (one of the faith and
one not of the faith) disagreed with each other? How was the matter resolved?
2) Can
I think of examples in the Bible where two people (both of the common faith)
disagreed with each other? How was the matter resolved?
3) How
do I deal with a situation in which I find myself disagreeing with what someone
is saying?
4) How
do I handle it when someone approaches me and indicates that he/she does not
agree with me?
5) Do I
make it a habit to “get support” for myself before presenting a troubling issue
to the person it most directly involves?
6) Do I
feel I have suffered a loss when I agree with someone?
7) Do I
feel I have suffered a loss when I come into agreement with Yah?
8) Do I
always look for the blessing in unpleasant situations, agreeing with Yah that
whatsoever circumstances occur were allowed by Him for some purpose?
9) How
do I feel when I cannot convince someone that I am correct?
10) Do
I ask others for help when I need it?
11) Do
I ever compromise my principles in an effort to agree with anyone?
12)
Would I be comfortable if someone else had to compromise his/her principles to
agree with me?
Exercise:
After contemplating and, if possible, discussing with others the above
questions, find a verse or passage of the Bible that gives a promise or an
answer for each.
