Thursday, Dec 12

Scripture: Ephesians 4:2-3 (NLT) – “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”

Message: I experienced my call to pastoral ministry in high school. During that time, a young associate pastor joined our church and became a mentor. Before I left for college, I asked him for advice. He paused for a moment, then said, “It’s not about being right; it’s about relationships.”

He explained further, “In college, you’ll encounter many different ideas and meet people, including fellow Christians, who see the world differently. You might be tempted to avoid building relationships with them. Don’t. Always remember, ‘It’s not about being right; it’s about relationships.’”

Paul’s words in Ephesians 4 remind us of this truth. As God’s people, we are called to live with humility, gentleness, and patience – qualities that help us navigate our relationships with grace. He urges us to make allowances for each other’s faults and to work toward unity through love and peace.

It’s easy to get caught up in proving ourselves right, especially when we feel strongly about something. But in our pursuit of being right, we can lose sight of what matters most – our relationships. Rather than focusing on winning an argument, Paul calls us to focus on humility and love.

This doesn’t mean abandoning or softening our convictions. It means holding them with gentleness and patience, recognizing that how we treat others matters just as much as what we believe. Relationships flourish when we extend grace, kindness, and forgiveness, even when we disagree. Peace and love are what bind us together.

So the next time you find yourself in conflict, pause and ask: “Am I focused on being right, or on loving well?”. When we allow the Spirit to guide us, we reflect a love that strengthens relationships and brings us closer together in peace.

Prayer: God, thank You for the relationships in our lives. Help us to embody humility, patience, and gentleness in all our interactions. Guide us to hold our convictions with grace, always remembering that we are called to love and seek peace above all else. Amen.

Pastor Chris Jones