Two Or Three

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:19-20

Much is written about the importance of having two or three witnesses. The principle of two or three witnesses is a matter of coming together to form a consensus that can be agreed upon as it establishes a truth. For example, two or more witnesses were needed at the trial of Jesus and although many testified against him their statements did not agree.

Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.'" Yet even then their testimony did not agree Mark 14:56-59.

The law required two or more witnesses to agree before guilt could be established; therefore the testimony of two witnesses had to agree to establish the truth. On the other hand disagreement is a form of deviation leading to confusion because the facts pertaining to the matter are not in one accord or in harmony with each other.

When the High Priest asked Jesus this question "Are you the Christ the Son of the Blessed One" Mark 14:61? Their beliefs were that a mere man could not be God. Since the answer Jesus gave them did not agree with their law or beliefs, Jesus was found guilty of blaspheming. For this reason the Pharisees wanted to put him to death.

There is a reason the bible tells us to demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ 2 Corinthians 10:5. How often do we ask if it lines up with the word of God? In other words we have to find an agreement between what we hear and the word of God before accepting anything as truth. The world’s truth is based on a part that can be seen and verified with proof.

For the most part truth is seen through faith and experience. The truth of God is revealed through words that express spiritual concepts. Within the bible these precepts of knowledge of good and evil help us to define the known will of God. The Holy Spirit has a purpose of guiding God’s children into all truth. It is also a truth that guides you to love God with your entire being and move you to obey him. (Ezekiel 36:27) Jesus said gave this testimony.

I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say." John 12:50

We know from our own experiences that truth is frequently distorted to fulfill the needs of those who sell, plot and scheme. The truth the world understands is much different from the truth of the bible for the truth is suppressed by the wickedness of men. We also understand that the world’s truth changes as needed.

God’s truth never changes because truth is absolute in nature. This truth may be best seen in God’s examples of gathering and scattering and in Hot not cold, you are one or the other but not both. God’s truth fits every occasion but it also places limits on our behavior for the common good of everyone. This truth is the way God lives and a commonsense approach to life that everyone can agree is better for the dignity of everyone.

The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. Isaiah 29:13

In this example the truth seen by God says the motives and words are right but they are not giving their all to demonstrate their love for God. There was a disagreement between the heart and flesh but that disagreement resonates in deception. God wants one accord among his worshippers for a reason the nation divided against itself cannot stand.

You cannot walk on both sides of the fence for there will be hesitation to decide what side you are on. Elijah was sent to Israel when Baal was the only god allowed to be worshipped by Ahab and Jezebel. The people went with the flow but worship the living God too. The action of Ahab and Jezebel suppressed the truth and the hesitation of whom to worship.

Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him. "But the people said nothing. 1 Kings 18:21

There is also a practical way of using two or three in day to day work of the kingdom. Jesus Christ use this principle on several occasions especially when he sent his disciples on missions in groups of twos. The bible says, Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.

Two or three witnesses add strength and courage to working together for a common purpose. Two is the smallest unit of strength and the basis of the family unit. Two unlike things give you a basis to make comparisons. Two witnesses are required to form an agreement and agreement is a way to have a consensus of opinion. In the Lord two or three people can establish a truth among themselves guided by God’s word and then go in the spirit of that truth.

Now consider something else, God the father and God the Son dwell in you so there are three witnesses testifying about your life. It is something I have trouble with. Am I working for the glory of my Father or am I expecting God to work for my glory. If I am expecting God to work for my glory then I am a loose cannon. However if I am working with God any work that I do will be productive.

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