Agreeing Where It Matters Most
Two sides aligned to one slider, a simple picture of agreeing in the Lord.
Devotional Credit: In Christ by E. Stanley Jones
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Philippians 4 shows two faithful women who once worked side by side with Paul. Somewhere along the way they drifted apart. Paul does not take sides. He points them to the one place they already agree, in the Lord. E. Stanley Jones helps us see the wisdom in that move. Shared loyalty to Jesus becomes the meeting place when preferences pull us in different directions.
I needed that reminder. It is easy to lock up over small things, tone, timing, style, or steps. Jones invites us to keep a soft grip on minors, and a firm hold on the central allegiance to Jesus. Where hearts agree on Him, many lesser disagreements can be absorbed without breaking fellowship.
This is not pretending differences do not exist. It is learning when to stand straight for truth, and when to bend for love. Yieldedness on non essentials is not weakness. It is strength under the Spirit’s control. It makes room for the Lord’s peace to do its quiet work.
So today I am taking the simple path. Keep Jesus in view. Let gentleness be known. Agree in the Lord, and let the Spirit teach when to hold a line, and when to give space. Thank you, E. Stanley Jones, for the kind reminder that unity grows where Christ is the center.
Journal Entry - Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
I call you to agree in the Lord. Stand firm in the Lord, and let your gentleness be evident to all. Be eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Walk with all humility and meekness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.
Set your mind on things above where Jesus is. Put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Forgive as you have been forgiven, and let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful.
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit. In humility count others more significant than yourselves. Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Speak the truth in love. Let your speech be gracious, seasoned with salt. The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone, able to teach, patient, enduring evil, correcting with gentleness. Knowledge that puffs up gives way to love that builds up. Above all, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
You are many members, yet one body, and each part needs the others. Keep yourselves in My love. Sow peace, and a harvest of righteousness will rise. My wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. Abide in My Son, and you will bear fruit that remains.
Scripture references: Philippians 4:1 to 5, Ephesians 4:2 to 3, Colossians 3:1 to 2, Colossians 3:12 to 15, Philippians 2:1 to 5, Romans 12:18, Romans 14:19, Ephesians 4:15, Colossians 4:6, 2 Timothy 2:24 to 25, 1 Corinthians 8:1 to 3, Colossians 3:14, 1 Corinthians 12:12 to 27, Jude 21, James 3:17 to 18, John 15:4 to 5.
Real-Life Analogy
Think of a zipper on a jacket. When both sides stay aligned to the slider, the teeth join easily and the whole jacket closes with little effort. If one side tries to run its own path, the teeth snag and the pull stalls. Unity in Jesus works like that. The Holy Spirit is the faithful guide. As we yield to Him, He aligns our hearts to the Lord, and conversations that once snagged start to move with ease.
Try this today. Before a tricky conversation, pause and whisper, Lord, I trust You to align my heart with Yours and to carry Your peace through me as I speak and listen. Then enter the moment willing to hear, ready to own your part, and eager to lift up Jesus more than your preference.
Prayer of Confidence
Father, thank You for joining me to Your Son and to His people. Thank You for the unity of the Spirit You have already given. I receive Your wisdom for my words today. I lay down personal demands that do not serve Your name. Lord, I trust You to keep my tone gentle, my heart teachable, and my focus on what honors Jesus and builds up others.