Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD ponders the hearts.
Everyone has their favorite bible verse that often helps determines their personal persona, drive, and beacon. The one that guides me often is Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? This is a question I ask myself in most cases when hard decisions have to be made. Will God and I be on the same page if I go ahead with this plan? Will God and I still be yoked and will I be walking in the peace of the Lord after I act on the said decision?
I use this bible verse as one of my guardrails and plumb lines in helping me walk the walk Christ inspires in my life. I like this verse because it is simple in explanation. The question asked in the verse answers a lot of the guesswork that comes up in my life. Another way to interpret this verse is by asking, “Will God agree with this?”
I use this bible verse as one of my guardrails and plumb lines in helping me walk the walk Christ inspires in my life. I like this verse because it is simple in explanation. The question asked in the verse answers a lot of the guesswork that comes up in my life. Another way to interpret this verse is by asking, “Will God agree with this?”
A common question today among young people who are looking for a life mate is “Should I, or do you think God would be OK with me marrying this person?” As I am not a match-maker, I can only ask the question, “Are you both equally yoked?” 2 Cor. 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? If you go ahead and marry that person, will you be living in the blessing of God or the dwellings of despair? Will you and your prospective spouse be walking with the Lord together after marriage or will you be dragging his or her sorry carcass to church?
Please forgive my slight touches of sarcasm as I have seen this movie replayed over and over again in the last thirty-five years in different ministries. I am not saying that marriages do not work when one is serving the Lord and the other wants nothing to do with God. Yes, they love each other and life goes on; however, the number one thing on the heart of one who is serving the Lord is that God would save their spouse. They spend the rest of their lives wanting, wishing and praying for that blessed event to take place.
Thank God when it occasionally happens, but more often than not these people end up separated and many times the parties involved end up mad at God. It is very hard to reason with people who are in love with each other. They have this Teflon covering over their ability to see the potential pitfalls that may be just around the corner of their covenanted commitment. God is either the Lord of all or not at all and that is also in marriage.
Please forgive my slight touches of sarcasm as I have seen this movie replayed over and over again in the last thirty-five years in different ministries. I am not saying that marriages do not work when one is serving the Lord and the other wants nothing to do with God. Yes, they love each other and life goes on; however, the number one thing on the heart of one who is serving the Lord is that God would save their spouse. They spend the rest of their lives wanting, wishing and praying for that blessed event to take place.
Thank God when it occasionally happens, but more often than not these people end up separated and many times the parties involved end up mad at God. It is very hard to reason with people who are in love with each other. They have this Teflon covering over their ability to see the potential pitfalls that may be just around the corner of their covenanted commitment. God is either the Lord of all or not at all and that is also in marriage.
Why does God say in His word to take his yoke? Matt. 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. The Lord’s yoke might be easy and light, but it is a yoke nonetheless. We still have to wear it and learn how to live our lives in Christ with it so that we are pulling and adjusting as the Lord teaches us to use His yoke for His work and His way.
When a new young bull was to be fitted with a yoke and be taught how to pull, he was paired off with an older bull who already knew how to work and pull. The trained bull would, by default of being yoked to the young one, would train the young one how to pull without the yoke chafing and gouging the animal. The young bull, also by default of the yoke, would learn how to work side by side with the more experienced bull and the work got done.
In our case, the yoke is easy because Christ Himself is right there beside us going through life. We are step-in-step with our Lord. Therefore, not an irksome or chaffing experience unless we are pulling in the opposite direction.
When a new young bull was to be fitted with a yoke and be taught how to pull, he was paired off with an older bull who already knew how to work and pull. The trained bull would, by default of being yoked to the young one, would train the young one how to pull without the yoke chafing and gouging the animal. The young bull, also by default of the yoke, would learn how to work side by side with the more experienced bull and the work got done.
In our case, the yoke is easy because Christ Himself is right there beside us going through life. We are step-in-step with our Lord. Therefore, not an irksome or chaffing experience unless we are pulling in the opposite direction.
Regardless of whether we are looking for a spouse, business partner or friends to hang out with, we all have to walk circumspect and remember that there are times when we will have to ask ourselves and the Lord if we are unequally yoked. We will have to determine if making a life covenant with an unbeliever is the right move for our eternal life. James 3:11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
As Amos points out so well in Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? The beauty of being human is that we have a free choice to walk through this life with or without listening to God. Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Hopefully, we have learned over the years to do our best to be in agreement with God and obey Him because He is Lord. God bless you all.
As Amos points out so well in Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? The beauty of being human is that we have a free choice to walk through this life with or without listening to God. Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Hopefully, we have learned over the years to do our best to be in agreement with God and obey Him because He is Lord. God bless you all.
Great blog! Thank you for your teachings Sir Norm!