Saints in Simple Soil
Authenticity and humility are like a well-worn pair of shoes, freeing us to walk with Jesus without the pressure of appearance.
Devotional Credit: In Christ by E. Stanley Jones
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Today, E. Stanley Jones turns our attention to Paul’s greeting in Philippians 1:1: “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.” At first glance, it seems to place bishops and deacons outside the company of saints. Jones suggests that when religious positions become a source of pride, they can hinder the simple life of a saint. He recalls signing an autograph after a bishop who carefully spelled out his title so everyone would know its importance. This small act illustrates how easily titles can become more important than authentic holiness. Being self‑consciously important makes it hard to live humbly as a saint.
Jones recounts another experience in which he was speaking through an interpreter. He said, “To be an evangelist and a Christian is difficult.” Then, seeing missionaries present, he added, “And to be a missionary and a Christian is difficult.” Seeing a bishop present, he added further, “I suppose to be a bishop and a Christian is difficult.” The interpreter rendered his words with humor and truth: “To be an evangelist and a Christian is difficult, but to be a missionary or a bishop and a Christian is impossible!” The bishop took it with grace, but the point was clear: professional religious roles can complicate the simple call of following Jesus.
He explains that the Greek word translated “bishop” literally means “overseer.” An overseer looks at the work of others. It’s hard for such a person to be a seer—one who sees and declares God’s vision—because their work is at a remove. Overseers report what others are doing, not what they themselves have seen. Jones notes there are exceptions: some become saints in spite of being bishops, but seldom because they are bishops. He insists that saints are grown in simpler soil, away from the pressures and protocols of professional religion. Authentic faith often thrives not in official positions but in humble, receptive hearts.
We can thank E. Stanley Jones for challenging us to examine our motives and roles. His words remind us that our identity in Jesus is not defined by titles or positions. Being a saint comes through humble, receptive faith, not through professional religious standing. He calls us to be real in motive, word, and deed, to live by the simplicities of Jesus, and to avoid letting titles eclipse the gentle way of holiness.
Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
My child, I see your heart, and I am not impressed by titles or positions. You are already a saint in Jesus because I have made you holy by His blood and placed My Spirit within you. Do not be weighed down by roles or professional expectations. Instead, rest in the simplicity of your union with Me. You were created to live in humble dependence on Me, not to prove yourself through status or performance.
When you seek to be real, to let your motives, words, and actions flow from My life within you, you bring joy to My heart. Your calling is not about managing the work of others or building a reputation. It is about abiding in Me and allowing My fruit to grow in your life. Humility and receptivity are the soil in which saints flourish. If you have positions of responsibility, hold them lightly and let My love and truth guide you.
Turn away from the need to appear polished or important. Let your value rest in the fact that you belong to Me. As you yield to My indwelling life, I will make you authentic in motive, pure in word, and sincere in deed. You are no longer under the old self’s striving; you have been raised to walk in newness of life. Trust Me to shape you into a reflection of Jesus, free from pretense, full of grace and truth.
Scripture References: Philippians 1:1; Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:4-11; John 15:5; Colossians 3:12-14; Matthew 23:11-12; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:7; Ephesians 4:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Matthew 20:26-28; 2 Timothy 2:24; 1 Peter 4:10-11.
Real-Life Analogy
Think about putting on a pair of well-worn, comfortable shoes after spending a day in stiff, polished dress shoes. The dress shoes may look impressive, but they pinch and restrict your steps. In contrast, the comfortable shoes fit naturally and allow you to walk freely. They might not draw attention, but they enable you to move with ease and joy. In the same way, striving to present a polished image can hinder your walk with Jesus, while humility and authenticity let you live freely in His grace.
When faced with situations where your role or reputation is on display, quietly turn to the One who dwells within you and say, “Lord, I trust You to live Your life through me right now, freeing me from the need to impress and guiding me to walk humbly.” Let His gentle leadership turn professionalism into personal simplicity.
Prayer of Confidence
Lord, I thank You that my value is found in You, not in titles or positions. You have called me a saint and filled me with Your Spirit. I rejoice that I can live simply and authentically in Your presence. Thank You for freeing me from the pressure to perform and for giving me a humble heart and receptive faith. I rest in Your sufficiency, confident that as I abide in You, You will express Your life through me in all I do.