Fighting for Relationship

Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? "How can two walk together unless they agree?" Often we hear this scripture used in the context of doctrinal or dogmatic issues. It goes something like this. “If you have a position doctrinally that differs from mine, we cannot be in significant relationship due to the difference in our doctrine.” Is this what the Lord intended? Is this what Amos meant when, inspired by the Holy Spirit, he wrote about walking together? Does doctrine trump relationship? Some, I think, would believe so. Yet, Jesus did not seem to. The Jews, Samaritans, and Romans clearly had differing doctrine, yet Jesus waded right into the midst of them, loved them, healed them, and healed their families and servants. He even honored a Roman centurion for his great faith, placing it above everyone who had closer doctrine to Jesus’. Yet Jesus walked with these people whom He clearly had doctrinal issue with. He did confront them, chastise them, even called some of them names. But He did love them. What if our battle was not for doctrine but for relationship? What if we fought harder to establish, maintain, increase, and reestablish relationship than we fought for doctrine (which we really mean for your belief to line up with mine)? After all, isn’t the Holy Spirit the author? Doesn’t He, and He alone have perfect interpretation of the scripture? Have I ever been wrong about doctrine? Whoops. Sorry about that. Am I still wrong about doctrine? Ouch! Which part am I still wrong? The truth is, I do not know. And, I guess, that is the point. So how can I break relationship with one who disagrees with me? …God’s will? Not sure that will fly when I stand before Him. Him, who is the lover of my (your, and the one we disagree with’s) soul. What if we fought the hardest for relationship? What if we trusted the Holy Spirit to work out all the disagreements in an atmosphere of love, and mercy, and gentleness. Do you think it would be easier to find the truth in love? I think Paul may have mentioned that concept… truth in love. It is much easier to find truth in the atmosphere of love. Love is at the core of the heart of God. Truth is produced in love. Love transcends facts and details. There cannot be real truth, without love. No question, Pontius Pilate was a brilliant man. He was schooled in the best schools the world had to offer, yet sincerely and sarcastically asked, “What is truth?” He could not find it. What if I embrace loving you? …valuing who you are? …connecting with you? …especially if I disagree with you? What if I valued our relationship to the extent that I would be willing to fight for it? …fight all of my fear, insecurity, past experience, and understanding of who you are, what you are about, what you are up to, and love you with the love I get from the Father who loves me? What if I did not limit the love of the Father that in is me toward you. What if I not only loved you that way, but the next you I come in contact with? What if I was more willing to fight for relationship than doctrine? What if I stewarded my life in such a way that I was not drawn into the debates over dogma, doctrine, or details? What if I valued relationship with God and God’s people over everything else? What would that look like? I honestly do not know. I know what the fight for doctrine looks like. Thirty thousand denominations in America mean thirty thousand divisions in America. What if I left those who want to fight over doctrine to fight in the dust of the earth? What if I allowed the wind of the Holy Spirit to lift me so I could see those who He loves and so desperately wants a relationship with. What if I loved them with His love, till they taste His love. By the way, I hold to doctrine, I have a belief system. I believe it is right and I am okay telling you what it is and defending it. I just do not think it is the heart of the Father for me to live with, “you are less valuable to me because you believe different than me.” So with that all said, what did Amos mean by, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” (Amplified Version) Do two walk together except they make an appointment and have agreed? (NIV) Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? In other words, you and I cannot walk together unless both you and I want to walk together. The object of their agreement is to walk together, not simply to agree. So, the only condition I have to walk with you is do you and I agree to walk together. Just for clarification if I agree but you do not agree to walk together it becomes chasing or stalking. That is weird. Don’t do that! What about…? Let the Holy Spirit deal with the what abouts. Unless you feel like He is unable to handle the "what abouts". I would really like you to leave a comment, please. Push back, tell me off, agree with some or part. Just let me know what you think.