Sayings

The idiom, see eye to eye, is thought to derive from the Bible, in the book of Isaiah, 52:8: “Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.”

Mutual agreement is the essence of good relationships. At the conclusion of the Northumbria Community evening prayer is the blessing, “See that ye be at peace among yourselves, my children, and love one another. Follow the example of the wise and good and God will comfort you and help you, both in this world and in the world which is to come.”

But all is not always harmonious in the life of the church.

Chuck Swindoll, in his book The Grace Awakening, writes of a church that had a vibrant ministry and was having a powerful impact on their community. But then, a disagreement began to form. While it seemed small and insignificant at first, it grew and grew until the church was sharply divided. When it was apparent that this issue could not be solved in a manner that would be suitable to every one, half of the congregation left to form their own church. Today, while both churches still exist, neither has the outreach ministry that they did before.

Would you like to know what the disagreement was over? Well, it seems that the church, after their services, would have a time of fellowship with coffee and light refreshments. The disagreement was over whether the coffee should be served by the back door or in the fellowship hall. An issue that small and petty destroyed what had been a great ministry.

Watchman Nee, the 20th century Chinese church leader and Christian teacher 

"An obedient will and a harmonious will are very different. Obedience is related to actions, whereas harmony is related to character. The obedient will of a servant is seen in carrying out every order of his master.

"But the harmonious will is shown in the son who knows the father’s heart and whose will is one with the father’s. The harmonious will not only fulfils his duty but also fulfils it with delight.

An obedient will puts a stop to one’s own activity, yes, but a harmonious will is in addition one heart with God.”

Dear Lord Jesus, You are our Prince of Peace and You prayed for unity in the body of Christ, that we may be united in love just as You are united with the Father in love. Give Your children the desire to love one another as You have loved us, and let the world know that we are Your disciples by our love for one another. Give us a hunger to live in union with each another, and may we be united as one, in the bond of peace and fellowship, in the Spirit. This we ask in Jesus’ name,

Amen.