A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Dr. Larry Ollison)
Scriptures for the Day (May 8,2018)
Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:19)
As Christians, we need to be in agreement. We must be in agreement with God, with the Word, and with each other. There is power in agreement and according to Jesus, if we ask God the Father concerning anything, it will be done. Now I know that when we read God’s Word, we must take the sum of the Scriptures in balance. And here’s what I mean.
If your child has a messy room, you could say this: “If you clean up your room, I will be pleased. And then, if you want to go to the park to play, all you have to do is ask me and I will take you.” Does this mean that you will take the child to the park if he or she asks? Yes, of course you will. You gave your word — but only if the child does what you ask. The child must clean the room first. If this child asks to go to the park and you go to the room and find it messy, you will not be pleased and the trip is off. Only when the conditions are met will you do what you said you would do.
This is the way it is with God. He has filled His Word full of promises. These promises are for you and for me. He has given us hope and confidence that He will meet our needs. However, we cannot forget the requirements.
Now, I know that we are living in a time of grace and that we do not deserve the salvation that has been given to us. But, even though the salvation is a free gift, we must still meet certain requirements. Is salvation and everlasting life for everyone? Yes. But, will everyone be saved and have everlasting life? No, because there are requirements. We must believe in our hearts and we must confess with our mouths.
This is the way the entire Word of God is. So when we read Matthew 18:19 about two of us agreeing on anything we ask and then it will be done by God, we must know that Jesus also made this promise conditional, and the main condition is agreement.
Satan does not want us to agree with each other. First of all, he knows that when we as Christians do not agree with the Word of God, it leaves us without faith and when we don’t agree with each other, it leads to division in the church. If Satan can get Christians to disagree, then he has weakened the prayer power of the church. He accomplishes this through strife, quarrels, and hatred.
Proverbs 10:12 says, “Hatred stirs up strife but love covers a multitude of sins.” And Proverbs 16:28 says, “A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.” God wants us unified and in agreement. Satan wants to divide us and make us ineffective. So, let’s agree. As the church, let’s walk in love and understanding. Let’s walk in the power of agreement and our prayers will be answered.
