The 1,000-percent Advantage

"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them" (Matthew 18:20).

In God's kingdom, a culture of individuality is over. God said, "It is not good for man to live alone. I will make a helper suitable for him" (Genesis 2:18). So He gave man a woman. Jesus sent the disciples two by two to proclaim His gospel (Mark 6:7). Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto. And Batman had Robin.

There's an old African proverb that says... "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

God has called us to be a part of the body. No part can survive on its own. The church is His body; not the church building, but the people. When I made a decision to share my faith everyday, a fellow pastor said, "I will do it with you." I told a couple more pastors, and they said, "We will do it with you." And so, I was suddenly empowered and accountable.

So, who are you partnering with? To whom do you joyfully submit? Is it just you and Jesus? If so, your effectiveness will be short and sweet.

When the authorities threatened the disciples to stop talking about Jesus, their response was, "WE cannot help speaking about what WE have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20). When we move as a team, we encourage each other, we have more credibility when two witnesses share their story instead of one, and we protect each other's back through praying through the spiritual barriers that surely come.

Yes, there can be disappointments and risks when you trust others. But, there is power when we walk together. The Bible says that one shall put one thousand to flight, and two shall put ten thousand to flight (Deuteronomy 32:30). That's a 1,000% advantage!

Here's another illustration: An owner of Clydesdale horses performed a test. Alone, the big, muscle-bound horse could pull 1,200 pounds. So the owner thought two horses could pull 2,400 pounds. But to his surprise, he found that two Clydesdales pulling together could pull 5,000 pounds!

That's some good horse sense if you ask me!

Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org