The Only Center That Holds
Unity comes when all things align to the true center—Christ alone.
Devotional Credit: In Christ by E. Stanley Jones
Photo Credit: Unsplash
E. Stanley Jones reflects on Ephesians 1:10, which speaks of God’s eternal plan: “to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth.” According to Jones, this divine unity has not been realized because humanity has repeatedly pursued its own paths to oneness—plans rooted in doctrine, governance, or personalities—only to find themselves splintered further. In every age, these man-made strategies have led to division, not harmony.
Jones believes we are now in the “fullness of time”—a moment when the futility of our efforts should turn us back to God’s perfect design. And what is that design? That unity—true unity—must be found in Jesus Christ alone. Just as heaven is unified solely around the Lamb who sits on the throne, so too must earth be united around the same Person, not around our preferred expressions of faith or systems of belief. The absurdity of trying to rally heaven around earthly distinctions like baptism styles or governance models is meant to show us the equal absurdity of doing so on earth.
His vision is not sentimental or soft—it is Christ-centered, and nothing else will do. Jones cuts through decades of religious attempts at peace, calling us back to the simplicity and supremacy of Christ Himself as the only common ground on which true fellowship can be built. The question is not whether others worship like us but whether they love Him. Christ is not one unifying idea among many; He is the only center that holds. Heaven knows this already. Now, it’s our turn.
Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
I have made My Son the center of all things, in heaven and on earth. Before the foundations of the world, I set My plan in motion: not to gather people around doctrines or duties, but around a Person. All things are being summed up in Christ, in whom you have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the head of the body, the Church. He is the firstborn of all creation and the One through whom and for whom all things exist.
When you seek unity, do not look outward to preferences or positions. Look inward to the Life that dwells in you. For just as I have placed you in Christ, I have placed others there too. You are not asked to create unity, only to keep it—because it is already yours in the Spirit. Where Christ is central, peace follows. Where Christ is sidelined, division multiplies.
Do not build your fellowship on forms. Do not measure your brothers and sisters by how closely they echo your theology or your customs. Measure by this: do they love My Son? If they do, you are already united in Me. You are seated with them in the heavenly places. So walk worthy of this calling—gently, patiently, bearing with one another in love.
Remember, I am not calling you to sameness but to oneness—oneness in My Son, the radiance of My glory and the exact imprint of My nature. I hold all things together in Him. Lay your labels down. Exalt the One who is above every name. Let Christ be all, and in all.
Scripture References: Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1–6; Colossians 1:15–20; Hebrews 1:3; John 17:21–23; Romans 15:5–7; Philippians 2:1–11; Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinthians 1:10–13; John 13:35
Real-Life Analogy
Imagine a compass with dozens of independent magnets arranged around it, each trying to pull the needle in its own direction. The needle wavers, spins, and shakes—until it locks onto true north. Suddenly, everything steadies. The other magnets lose their influence because the needle has found its single fixed point.
In the same way, when Christ is our true north, the pull of denominational magnets, personal convictions, and theological preferences begins to fade. We stop spinning. We start resting. Unity isn’t found in removing the differences—it’s found in aligning to the One who anchors all things.
Today, as I engage with others who name the name of Christ but see things differently, I will not let my needle be pulled sideways. I yield to You, Lord—You who live in me. Lead my heart to see others through Your indwelling presence, and let the love of Christ overflow from me to them. I trust You to live Your life through me as a peacemaker, not a gatekeeper.
Prayer of Confidence
Father, You have already shown us the only true source of unity—Your beloved Son. You’ve placed me in Him and seated me with every other believer who has trusted in Him. I don’t need to create something You’ve already provided. I rest in this oneness, trusting that Christ in me can love even when I don’t agree, can extend grace even when I don’t understand, and can rejoice in our shared redemption. Thank You for this holy center. Thank You that the plan has always been Jesus.