Can two walk together except they be agreed? Amos 3:3
It was late on a Friday afternoon, and I watched a virtual sea of people sweep down Yonge Street in Toronto, heading for the trains and buses in the area of Union Station. Office and shop workers from throughout downtown Toronto were rushing to begin their weekend. They were dressed in all manner of codes, from the very casual and the business casual dressers of the clerical classes to the smart dressers of the professional classes in their suits and high-end sportswear. But I noticed an interesting thing about those thousands of people as they swept along: most of them were scurrying along solo. Very few were walking along as couples, and there were no groups larger than three. All of those people were going in their individual directions, none with any interest in the affairs or destinations of anyone else. They were like the people of this world who have nobody to agree with on a walk that will bring them together. But Christians are not like that.
One of the first things that our salvation brought us into was fellowship with others who appreciated our Saviour. We learned of the sharp contrast between the cold, uncaring world and the warm comfort of fellow believers. As we grew in the faith, we developed firm friendships with other believers with whom we shared experiences and struggles. We discovered the joys of spending time in prayer with other Christians, and of the joys of exploring the magnificent depths of the Word of God together. The more we grew in our spiritual life and learned the Scriptures, the more we appreciated those who shared our enthusiasm in the things of God. Because we agreed with them and with the Scriptures, on baptism, we were baptized. Because we agreed with them, and with the Scriptures, on the truths of the New Testament Assembly, we were received into the fellowship, and our walk together became all the more precious. Because we agree on so much, our walk becomes very close. But how much agreement is needed for two to walk together?
Many have used our text today to justify refusing to walk with other Christians. But I don’t think that our text justifies that, although it may well limit the amount of walk that we can share with those who are clearly walking contrary to the Word of God. But even with those who are walking in disobedience or walking in error, if they are truly saved, we are brothers and sisters in Christ, and we ought always to acknowledge that. There are many wonderful Christians outside of our Assembly circles who we can share a measure of fellowship with. And while that measure must at times be small, we have precious things on which we agree, and on that ground we can walk together.
Enoch agreed with his Lord and walked with Him into eternity. Let us enjoy our walk toward eternity together with those who appreciate our Lord. -Jim MacIntosh