AGREEMENT

HOW CAN WE BE MORE AGREEABLE?

Romans 14:19 . . . Let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

Colossians 3:14 . . . The most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony.

We can be more agreeable by making sure that harmony is our primary goal in relationships-building one another up in love.

Romans 12:16 . . . Live in harmony with each other. Don’t try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

Romans 15:5 . . . May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other-each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other.

We should adopt the humble attitude of Christ Jesus in our relationships. Humility doesn’t invite hostility. But hostility is sure to bring back more hostility.

Proverbs 17:14 . . . Beginning a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

We should be sensitive to mounting tensions and make every effort to head them off before they blow up. Floodgates and quarrels are both hard to close down once they open up.

HOW CAN WE COME TO AGREEMENTS?

1 Corinthians 1:10 . . . Now, dear brothers and sisters, I appeal to you by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so there won’t be divisions in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

Philippians 2:2 . . . Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose.

Being united in thought and purpose helps us lovingly work together toward agreements. Begin your discussions by first determining together what your purpose is.

HOW SHOULD WE HANDLE DISAGREEMENTS?

WHAT DO WE DO WHEN WE DISAGREE?

Philippians 3:15-16 . . . I hope all of you who are mature Christians will agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must be sure to obey the truth we have learned already.

We are to trust God to clear up questionable issues while continuing to be obedient to him. Start with God’s truth as a point of agreement. Then it is easier to blend our divergent points of view.

1 Corinthians 6:3 . . . Don’t you realize that we Christians will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disagreements here on earth.

An eternal perspective is helpful in realizing the often insignificance of our ordinary earthly disagreements. Looking at the big picture makes the little stuff look even smaller.

Proverbs 18:18 . . . Casting lots can end arguments and settle disputes between powerful opponents.

Sometimes a random, non-biased approach to resolving inconsequential conflicts works well. Sometimes an issue is so trivial it isn’t worth big-time approaches to resolve it. We don’t need a cannon to shoot a flea.

Philippians 4:2-3 . . . Now I want to plead with those two women, Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. And I ask you, my true teammate, to help these women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News.

We are to help one another settle disagreements, especially when those disagreements have put up a roadblock between them.

Acts 15:1-31 . . . While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the Christians: “Unless you keep the ancient Jewish custom of circumcision taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” Paul and Barnabas, disagreeing with them, argued forcefully and at length. Finally, Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this question. . . So the apostles and church elders got together to decide this question. . .  Then the apostles and elders and the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates, and they sent them to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas to report on this decision. The men chosen were two of the church leaders, Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas. . .  So it seemed good to us, having unanimously agreed on our decision, to send you these official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul . . . The four messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the Christians and delivered the letter. And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.

We are to listen to one another present the facts. Seeking counsel among godly people often helps us come to a consensus.

Acts 15:36-41 . . . Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch to assist many others who were teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord there. After sometime Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return to each city where we previously preached the Word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are getting along.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not shared in their work. Their disagreement over this was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and the believers sent them off, entrusting them to the Lord’s grace. So they traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia to strengthen the churches there.

There may be times when we must agree to disagree on some issues; however, the Lord’s work is to continue. On that we can agree to agree.

IN WHAT AREAS OF LIFE SHOULD THERE NOT BE AGREEMENT?

Psalm 119:3 . . . They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.

Proverbs 25:26 . . . If the godly compromise with the wicked, it is like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.

1 Kings 18:21 . . . Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How long are you going to waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!”

1 Corinthians 10:21 . . . You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too.

2 Corinthians 6:15-16 . . . What harmony can there be between Christ and the Devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

There cannot be a union of righteousness and wickedness because of their contradictory paths. Until God settles the issue once and for all, there will also be warfare between God and Satan, good and evil, right and wrong. You cannot sin in order to achieve unity.

PROMISE FROM GOD:

Psalm 133:1 . . . How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live together in harmony!

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