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Agreeing in Jesus’s Name Brings God’s Will to Earth
Agreeing in Jesus’s Name Brings God’s Will to Earth
David W Palmer
(Matthew 18:18–20 NKJV) “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. {19} Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. {20} For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Jesus had been briefing his apprentices on the subjects of: causing offenses, restoration, and church wholeness; and he was preparing to speak next about forgiveness. But sandwiched in between, we find these three remarkable verses. They contain promises that can apply outside of this context, but we first need to see how they fit into the context in which Jesus gave them. Let’s begin with the first of them:
(Matthew 18:18 DKJV) “Truly I say to you, whatever you will bind (forbid, lock) on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you will loose (permit, unlock) on earth will have been loosed in heaven.”
The Master declared this irrevocable edict directly after giving his formula for church restoration and wholeness:
(Matthew 18:15–17 DKJV) “If your brother (or sister) sins against you, go and point out his fault between you and him alone. If he listens, you have gained your brother. {16} But if he will not listen to you, take with you one or two others, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word (rhema) may be established. {17} And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; And if he even refuses to listen to the church, let him be to you just like a Gentile or a tax collector.”
Immediately after this, the Lord made his declaration about binding and loosing. Jesus is saying that with heaven’s insight—received by revelation (See: Mat. 16:16–19)—the wayward, out-of-control can be tied down, and what is locked down or tied up can be set free. Heaven gives the keys; we put them into operation in Jesus’s name.
This fits exactly with what Jesus said later while commissioning his apprentices:
(John 20:21–23 NKJV) So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” {22} And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. {23} If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Our Lord said that his newly commissioned apostles would have the insight to know if someone had truly repented. But we particularly note that he said this right after he “breathed on them,” and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” This implies that the Holy Spirit would be showing them who was genuine in their repentance and seeking forgiveness. Then, just like he did in Mat. 9:2, they would be able to announce in his name whose sins were forgiven and whose were not. How could they do this? The Holy Spirit would show them.
A perfect example of how the apostles applied this is found in the book of Acts:
(Acts 5:3–5 NKJV) But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? {4} While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” {5} Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.
Note Peter’s words: “You have not lied to men but to God.” In effect, the Holy Spirit in Peter told him, “Ananias is lying.”
Having the Holy Spirit inside us, in combination with his power clothing on the outside, gives us access to heaven’s knowledge, wisdom, and assessment of situations. This is infinitely superior to our own knowledge and understanding, and it completely eclipses anything the world may think they have over us. Wow! Imagine; we have the infinite intelligence, the creative ability, and the true wisdom of God available to us through our relationship with the fully divine Holy Spirit living in us.
Getting back to our original passage today, Jesus’s next statement is an absolutely astounding promise:
(Matthew 18:19–20 DKJV) “Again I say to you, that if two of you will agree (harmonize) on earth about [the whole of] anything, [whatever it be] for which they will ask, it will be brought into being for them [from the presence] of my Father who is in heaven. {20} For where two or three are gathered in (led together into) my name, I am there in the midst of them.”
This promise appears to be totally open-ended; thus it seems to be open to all kinds of greed, avarice, abuse, and self-indulgence. So let’s think again about the context, and about who the “you” is that he is making this promise to.
The context is again church and relational restoration through forgiveness, etc. So, the two or three agreeing initially applies to the two or three witnesses who go to restore a sinning brother, or to the church to which it is disclosed (if necessary). If they collectively are in agreement about who is at fault, etc., then their Holy Spirit led assessment of the situation and judgment will be enforced by Father. For example, if the Holy Spirit leads the church leaders to hand someone over to Satan for the destruction of their flesh (so they will learn before it’s too late for them); and if they agree on this, God will enact it (See: 1 Cor. 5:4–5).
If the “you” to whom Jesus gave this amazing prayer promise is the same “you” he was referring to in the previous verse, then he is talking specifically to people who were led by the Holy Spirit. (Incidentally, being “led by the Holy Spirit” is a prerequisite for being God’s children, so all true believers must fit this category—unless they stop being led by the Holy Spirit. (See: Rom. 8:14, Gal. 5:16, 18).)
For people who sincerely want to be led by the Holy Spirit, and who sincerely want God’s will, coming into unity with others wanting the same thing is a safeguard. This is because the Holy Spirit speaks to us from the spirit realm; we can sometimes miss the detail, timing, or clarity in the message. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit has a unique relationship with each of us—depending on our gift, calling, experience with him, and our maturity, etc. So it may take two or three people, receiving different facets of the same message, and/or bringing it to the natural realm through their unique perspective, to get a clear and complete picture of what the Holy Spirit is saying. After all, even in God’s perfect word, the Holy Spirit used four gospel witnesses to bring a complete picture of who Jesus is.
When several of these sincere people gather, pray for God’s wisdom, and then discuss what they are hearing and how they see it, a true picture of what to agree on becomes clearer. Of course, this takes humility and a genuine belief that we need different perspectives and witnesses to get the message from heaven clear. When they can finally “harmonize” on what to ask, they can ask in faith without any nagging doubts or double-mindedness. Then, the Holy Spirit can enact what is said or prayed.
Jesus explains why this agreement and prayer is so effective. He says in verse 20, “For where two or three are gathered in (led together into) my name, I am there in the midst of them.” Wow! Two or three, led together into Jesus’s name. Who is leading them? Jesus through the Holy Spirit. When they come into agreement in the way described above, they hit the bull’s eye; they are agreeing on exactly what the Holy Spirit is saying. This, then, is exactly what Jesus wants done or prayed. Then they can do, ask, or decide it in his name—perfectly as he wants it done.
I know that this whole process may seem open to human frailty and fleshly self-interest. However, I take comfort that Jesus’s ability to speak is where we should put our faith, not in our human ability to “pick up” his voice. This is his promise to us:
(John 10:27 NKJV) “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
We can put our faith in this promise, and believe that Jesus can, and will, get through to us—especially if we humbly ask for his guidance, and simply trust that he answers, “Yes.” This is also a very good reason to pray for pastors, church leaders, and all who are in authority (even politicians). God can do the impossible; he can speak to them.
Today, I encourage you to apply today’s promises as they fit into their original context. But, because Jesus used it as a general true principle, I also encourage you to get with other people with whom you can be led into agreement around God’s will. For example, married couples can pray for wisdom, then discuss honestly and humbly what they believe God is saying—even if this takes a protracted time. Then Jesus can lead them into agreement around his will, and their prayer of agreement in his name will be “done for them by My Father in heaven.”
Jesus said that God will do it for you. This is very exciting; it means that you won’t have to do it for yourself. Doing even the impossible is not difficult for God. But the coming into agreement may be challenging, time-consuming, and a growing time for us. But it is well worth it. Begin today.
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By DAVID W. PALMERAgreeing in Jesus’s Name Brings God’s Will to Earth
David W Palmer
(Matthew 18:18–20 NKJV) “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. {19} Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. {20} For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Jesus had been briefing his apprentices on the subjects of: causing offenses, restoration, and church wholeness; and he was preparing to speak next about forgiveness. But sandwiched in between, we find these three remarkable verses. They contain promises that can apply outside of this context, but we first need to see how they fit into the context in which Jesus gave them. Let’s begin with the first of them:
(Matthew 18:18 DKJV) “Truly I say to you, whatever you will bind (forbid, lock) on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you will loose (permit, unlock) on earth will have been loosed in heaven.”
The Master declared this irrevocable edict directly after giving his formula for church restoration and wholeness:
(Matthew 18:15–17 DKJV) “If your brother (or sister) sins against you, go and point out his fault between you and him alone. If he listens, you have gained your brother. {16} But if he will not listen to you, take with you one or two others, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word (rhema) may be established. {17} And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; And if he even refuses to listen to the church, let him be to you just like a Gentile or a tax collector.”
Immediately after this, the Lord made his declaration about binding and loosing. Jesus is saying that with heaven’s insight—received by revelation (See: Mat. 16:16–19)—the wayward, out-of-control can be tied down, and what is locked down or tied up can be set free. Heaven gives the keys; we put them into operation in Jesus’s name.
This fits exactly with what Jesus said later while commissioning his apprentices:
(John 20:21–23 NKJV) So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” {22} And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. {23} If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Our Lord said that his newly commissioned apostles would have the insight to know if someone had truly repented. But we particularly note that he said this right after he “breathed on them,” and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” This implies that the Holy Spirit would be showing them who was genuine in their repentance and seeking forgiveness. Then, just like he did in Mat. 9:2, they would be able to announce in his name whose sins were forgiven and whose were not. How could they do this? The Holy Spirit would show them.
A perfect example of how the apostles applied this is found in the book of Acts:
(Acts 5:3–5 NKJV) But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? {4} While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” {5} Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.
Note Peter’s words: “You have not lied to men but to God.” In effect, the Holy Spirit in Peter told him, “Ananias is lying.”
Having the Holy Spirit inside us, in combination with his power clothing on the outside, gives us access to heaven’s knowledge, wisdom, and assessment of situations. This is infinitely superior to our own knowledge and understanding, and it completely eclipses anything the world may think they have over us. Wow! Imagine; we have the infinite intelligence, the creative ability, and the true wisdom of God available to us through our relationship with the fully divine Holy Spirit living in us.
Getting back to our original passage today, Jesus’s next statement is an absolutely astounding promise:
(Matthew 18:19–20 DKJV) “Again I say to you, that if two of you will agree (harmonize) on earth about [the whole of] anything, [whatever it be] for which they will ask, it will be brought into being for them [from the presence] of my Father who is in heaven. {20} For where two or three are gathered in (led together into) my name, I am there in the midst of them.”
This promise appears to be totally open-ended; thus it seems to be open to all kinds of greed, avarice, abuse, and self-indulgence. So let’s think again about the context, and about who the “you” is that he is making this promise to.
The context is again church and relational restoration through forgiveness, etc. So, the two or three agreeing initially applies to the two or three witnesses who go to restore a sinning brother, or to the church to which it is disclosed (if necessary). If they collectively are in agreement about who is at fault, etc., then their Holy Spirit led assessment of the situation and judgment will be enforced by Father. For example, if the Holy Spirit leads the church leaders to hand someone over to Satan for the destruction of their flesh (so they will learn before it’s too late for them); and if they agree on this, God will enact it (See: 1 Cor. 5:4–5).
If the “you” to whom Jesus gave this amazing prayer promise is the same “you” he was referring to in the previous verse, then he is talking specifically to people who were led by the Holy Spirit. (Incidentally, being “led by the Holy Spirit” is a prerequisite for being God’s children, so all true believers must fit this category—unless they stop being led by the Holy Spirit. (See: Rom. 8:14, Gal. 5:16, 18).)
For people who sincerely want to be led by the Holy Spirit, and who sincerely want God’s will, coming into unity with others wanting the same thing is a safeguard. This is because the Holy Spirit speaks to us from the spirit realm; we can sometimes miss the detail, timing, or clarity in the message. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit has a unique relationship with each of us—depending on our gift, calling, experience with him, and our maturity, etc. So it may take two or three people, receiving different facets of the same message, and/or bringing it to the natural realm through their unique perspective, to get a clear and complete picture of what the Holy Spirit is saying. After all, even in God’s perfect word, the Holy Spirit used four gospel witnesses to bring a complete picture of who Jesus is.
When several of these sincere people gather, pray for God’s wisdom, and then discuss what they are hearing and how they see it, a true picture of what to agree on becomes clearer. Of course, this takes humility and a genuine belief that we need different perspectives and witnesses to get the message from heaven clear. When they can finally “harmonize” on what to ask, they can ask in faith without any nagging doubts or double-mindedness. Then, the Holy Spirit can enact what is said or prayed.
Jesus explains why this agreement and prayer is so effective. He says in verse 20, “For where two or three are gathered in (led together into) my name, I am there in the midst of them.” Wow! Two or three, led together into Jesus’s name. Who is leading them? Jesus through the Holy Spirit. When they come into agreement in the way described above, they hit the bull’s eye; they are agreeing on exactly what the Holy Spirit is saying. This, then, is exactly what Jesus wants done or prayed. Then they can do, ask, or decide it in his name—perfectly as he wants it done.
I know that this whole process may seem open to human frailty and fleshly self-interest. However, I take comfort that Jesus’s ability to speak is where we should put our faith, not in our human ability to “pick up” his voice. This is his promise to us:
(John 10:27 NKJV) “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
We can put our faith in this promise, and believe that Jesus can, and will, get through to us—especially if we humbly ask for his guidance, and simply trust that he answers, “Yes.” This is also a very good reason to pray for pastors, church leaders, and all who are in authority (even politicians). God can do the impossible; he can speak to them.
Today, I encourage you to apply today’s promises as they fit into their original context. But, because Jesus used it as a general true principle, I also encourage you to get with other people with whom you can be led into agreement around God’s will. For example, married couples can pray for wisdom, then discuss honestly and humbly what they believe God is saying—even if this takes a protracted time. Then Jesus can lead them into agreement around his will, and their prayer of agreement in his name will be “done for them by My Father in heaven.”
Jesus said that God will do it for you. This is very exciting; it means that you won’t have to do it for yourself. Doing even the impossible is not difficult for God. But the coming into agreement may be challenging, time-consuming, and a growing time for us. But it is well worth it. Begin today.