Walking Together

Introduction: Scripture Reading- Amos 3:1-3

The prophet Amos asks a pointed rhetorical question: "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" This question challenges us to consider the nature of unity, fellowship, and shared direction. In its context, God was rebuking Israel for walking contrary to Him despite being His chosen people. Today, this principle extends to all relationships, especially those of spiritual significance. Agreement in doctrine, direction, and devotion is essential for true unity. We will examine why people of differing religious beliefs cannot truly walk together. [American priest on Newsmax talking about the pope and saying he was carrying on God’s work assigned to Peter to accept all the brothers of the faith.]

I. The Importance of Agreement

• Walking together implies companionship, agreement, and mutual purpose.
• Amos 3:3 teaches that without agreement, any attempt to walk together results in confusion, conflict, and compromise.
• Shared beliefs determine our direction. Two cannot go far together if they are not bound by the same principles.
• We must have a common standard and mind. (Philp. 3:16 “Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.”; Phil. 2:1-5)
  • Rule- standard, boundary, sphere
  • Mind- have the same thoughts, regard the same things  

II. The Principle of Fellowship and Separation

• 2 Corinthians 6:14: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers..."
  • The yoke symbolizes partnership; unequal yoking leads to spiritual strain and division.
• Light and darkness cannot coexist. Our God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5), and He demands full allegiance.
• Psalm 119:63: "I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts."
• 1 Corinthians 1:10: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 

III. Biblical Warnings Against Spiritual Mixture

• Solomon's compromise (1 Kings 11:1-4): Foreign wives turned his heart toward false gods.
• Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab (2 Chronicles 18): Nearly cost him his life due to ungodly partnership.
• Ezra's response (Ezra 9–10): Called Israel to repentance and separation from foreign wives.

IV. The Danger of Interfaith Compromise

• Galatians 1:8: "Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel...let him be accursed."
• The push for ecumenical unity (universal or all embracing) often demands we downplay or deny essential truths of the Gospel.
• Psalm 1:1: Warns against walking in the counsel of the ungodly. Compromise begins with companionship.
• 1 Corinthians 9:13-23

V. God Commands Separation

• Romans 16:17: "Mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine...and avoid them."
• 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
• Unity that is not based on truth is false unity. God calls for holiness and doctrinal purity.
• Separation is not hatred or pride; it is loyalty to Christ and His Word.

VI. Practical Application

• In marriage: A believer should not marry an unbeliever (1 Corinthians 7:39; 2 Corinthians 6:14).
• In friendship: Our closest companions should share our love for Christ (Proverbs 13:20).
  • 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 Some were teaching that there is no resurrection of the dead, implying that Jesus was not raised from the dead. The Christians at Corinth were believing and being deceived by these false teachers and thus walking with them.
• In ministry: Elders, preachers, and teachers must not partner with those who deny the fundamentals of the faith.
  • Ministerial Alliance: The Bible teaches that “Faith Only” does not save (James 2), but many denominations teach that it does. How can we walk together if we don’t agree and don’t have the same mind.

VII. Walk with God First

• Before we can walk with others in truth, we must walk with God.
• Micah 6:8: "...what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
• If we walk with God, we will not be comfortable walking with those who oppose Him.
• Again, God and His Word, are our standard and rule in the faith. If that cannot be the same between us and others, then we cannot walk together in agreement.

Conclusion:

Agreement is the foundation of fellowship. Amos 3:3 reminds us that unity must be grounded in truth. We cannot walk together with those who deny our Lord, reject His Word, or worship another god. Let us choose to walk with God, to walk in truth, and to walk in holiness. The road may be narrow, and the companions few, but the destination is eternal life with Christ.

"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" No—and they shouldn’t try unless that agreement is rooted in the truth of God’s Word. This does not mean, don’t teach or study with others about the truth, it just simply means do not compromise the gospel for unity’s sake.

Author: Patrick King