Difficulty with Matthew 18:19

[Brilliand]

Matthew 18:19
19"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.

Is this saying that if two Christians ask for the same thing, it's guaranteed? What happens if two pairs of Christians contradict each other?
I can't get around saying that this would cause God to contradict himself.

(The [BIBLE] tags aren't working!)

 

[LamorakDesGalis]

Matthew 18:19
19"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.

Is this saying that if two Christians ask for the same thing, it's guaranteed? What happens if two pairs of Christians contradict each other?
I can't get around saying that this would cause God to contradict himself.

(The [BIBLE] tags aren't working!)

Matthew 18:19 isn't about prayer. Its actually about believers who together discipline an erring brother.

Matthew 18:15-20 15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18 "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 "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. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."


LDG

 

[yodafett]

Verse 20 also is important in that, I've always felt, because it's kind of giving a stipulation that the desire or request has to be in line with Word of God/Christ. "In essence, if several of you are needing something that is inline with MY will, you will recieve it."

That's just my $0.02 translation.

 

[gentlestorm]

Matthew 18:19
19"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.

Is this saying that if two Christians ask for the same thing, it's guaranteed? What happens if two pairs of Christians contradict each other?
I can't get around saying that this would cause God to contradict himself.

(The [BIBLE] tags aren't working!)

I think you've answered it yourself.
Only if the two(groups) agree. It may happen for the first two and it may happen for the second two but it will not be realized by the four unless it is agreed.
The fact that the two groups are aware of each others request puts them under the condition of agreement.
It's mathematics really.

 

[Brilliand]

I think you've answered it yourself.
Only if the two(groups) agree. It may happen for the first two and it may happen for the second two but it will not be realized by the four unless it is agreed.
The fact that the two groups are aware of each others request puts them under the condition of agreement.
It's mathematics really.

Actually, I was thinking if they unknowingly contradict each other... for example, two groups opposite sides each praying to win a war. I don't mean two groups of Christians contradicting each other just to drive God nuts...

 

[gentlestorm]

Actually, I was thinking if they unknowingly contradict each other... for example, two groups opposite sides each praying to win a war. I don't mean two groups of Christians contradicting each other just to drive God nuts...

To be a Christian is to be in Christ.
Christ's prayer is 'Thy will be done'.
If this is their prayer all will be as they ask.

 

[Brilliand]

To be a Christian is to be in Christ.
Christ's prayer is 'Thy will be done'.
If this is their prayer all will be as they ask.

But that makes the verse meaningless. It must mean we have authority in something. I think Lamorak found an appropriate limiter in the context, but I'm not quite sure how to put it... showing that I really don't understand.

 

[DInsight]

Grace and peace from our God and His Christ unto all.

Underscoring Matt 18:15-19 is the fact that our Lord Jesus Christ is teaching about the kingdom of God... how brethren may settle when one sins against another.

Whatsoever is the settlement (or lack of settlement) between two brothers in the kingdom of God on earth and witnessed by another is binding. The kingdom of God in heaven will honor such a binding or loosing settlement.

It is not only limited to settlement (or lack of settlement) arising from problems between two brethren; whenever any agreement is reached and witnessed by brethren who have entered the kingdom of God, God is bound to honor.

It is one of many principles of the kingdom of God. Christ went about teaching them in parables; today, no man who is not given to understand and enter the kingdom can understand principles of that kingdom.

By this we know if any two or three agreeing brethren are heirs of the kingdom of God... whatsoever they agree upon MUST be honored by God and must come to pass as agreed upon, for God is in them and cannot lie.

 

[gentlestorm]

But that makes the verse meaningless. It must mean we have authority in something. I think Lamorak found an appropriate limiter in the context, but I'm not quite sure how to put it... showing that I really don't understand.

I know what you mean.
I think there is a misunderstanding about the relationship between objective and subjective reality.
This text may be a way to think about it.