THE AGREEMENT OF GOD
The salvation of man was planned before the world was ever created (Titus 1:2). On day six of creation, there was unity among the godhead as to creating man in their image and likeness (Genesis 1:26). The Spirit of God moved across the face of the waters which were created (Genesis 1:2). Paul reveals that everything was created by Jesus and for Jesus (Colossians 1:16). From the very outset of man upon this earth there was agreement among the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit of what was best for man. A beautiful world was created for man to live in and to enjoy.
Man's salvation, as already stated, was planned for before the world began. Jesus told one audience that if God were their Father, then they would love Him (John 8:42). Jesus then in this verse asserts that He proceeded from the Father. He closes this verse by telling us that He did not come of His own but that the Father had sent Him. This language shows that the Father and the Son were in agreement as to the plan that was worked out before the world began. They both knew what they were going to do in order to secure for man the avenue of salvation.
When Isaiah spoke of Jesus dying and of us being healed by His stripes, it was by the design of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. We know that Isaiah wrote what he did by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (II Peter 1:21). The Father and the Son both knew what they were going to do. All was in agreement for the salvation of mankind. When God "gave" His Son for our salvation mankind had the opportunity to be saved. All men would not accept God's offer and would therefore reject it by refusing to obey the gospel. Even though the godhead was faced with the rebellion of mankind, it in no way changed the agreement of heaven.
John declares to us that there are three that agree in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit (I John 5:7). There is complete unity among the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. In this passage in John it refers in specific detail to the salvation of man. As we have already noted, the godhead was united in purpose, plan and in action. Jesus prayed as recorded in John 17 that all the believers would be united (John 17:20,21). Agreement was necessary to bring about all things necessary to man?s salvation. Agreement, through this prayer of Jesus, is necessary on man?s part to bring about our final salvation.
Why can brethren not agree? On those matters that pertain to the salvation of our souls there must be agreement on the part of all of God's children. Such matters are not open to compromise. We cannot have fellowship with the religions of men that teach another gospel (Galatians 1:8). If brethren chose to try to find a way in which we can have fellowship they put themselves into serious danger because of a rejection of God's will. If agreement in heaven was necessary for our salvation how can we who are followers of the Lord not be in agreement on matters of salvation? The denominations of men do not teach the truth; if they did the denomination of which they are a part of would cease to exist.
Our pattern, then, from God is to be of the same mind and the same judgment (I Corinthians 1:10). Is this not another way of saying that we are all supposed to want the same thing; that is the salvation of men?s souls and the preservation of the church of our Lord? If we are of the same mind and judgment then what is best for the kingdom is what will govern our choices. Let us all be in agreement with God and each other.