Accord of Three Strands

This poem was written nearly two months ago. Since then, I've written a few more in this series — and they all have the same general appeal: Christians need to get along with each other. This sentiment is so prevalent and the nuance is so slight that, in this particular section of Rick Warren's book, he sometimes uses the same scriptures in contiguous chapters.

This, of course, makes it that much more difficult in determining the vibe of the chapter. Last week's blog/poem was called All for One & One for All. In upcoming weeks, you'll see The Art of Brotherly Love, Peacemaker and Fighting for Harmony. All having to do with peace in the Church.

Each of these were written as I stated last week — by reading the relative scripture repeatedly with very little input from me. If you look at some of the verses below, you might notice that some are mirrored nearly word-for-word in my poetry.

Love the title. For much of the time this was being written, it was called simply, A Cord of Three Strands. At the very end, looking at the final product, it was a gratifying change — accord being synonymous with harmony.

The only other thing worthy of note is its rhyming pattern: rhyming the outside (first and fourth) lines, and inside (second and third) lines. I don't know if I'd ever done that before, but I did it again a few poems after this one.

---

Accord of Three Strands

Based on Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Colossians 3:15; 1 John 1:7-8; James 5:16a; 2 Corinthians 2:7; Galatians 3:12; Romans 1:12; Colossians 3:13; Romans 14:19

​It is better with two than to be all alone,
since your labor combined could produce more success.
Should one fall, then the other could aid their distress;
make a better defense than could each on their own.

We were chosen to live all together as one,
since we all are a part of the body of Christ.
For a cord of three strands that are braided and spliced,
will not easily break once the pulling's begun.

If we live in the light as God is in the light,
we can share with each other in fellowship sweet.
Let us practice: confession — forgiveness — repeat;
​being patient and gentle and kind and polite.

As your faith will help me, and my faith will help you,
I must make the allowance for how you might live.
As the Lord has forgiven, so we must forgive;
seek the best in each other in all that we do.

---

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (TEV)
Two are better than one, because together they can work effectively.  If one of them falls down, the other can help him up . . . .  Two people can resist an attack that would defeat one person alone.  A rope made of three cords is hard to break.

Colossians 3:15 (CEV)
​Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. 

1 John 1:7-8 (NCV)
If we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other . . . .  If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves.

James 5:16a (Msg)
Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. 

2 Corinthians 2:7 (CEV)
When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won’t give up in despair.

Colossians 3:12 (GWT)
As holy people . . . be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentile, and patient.

Romans 1:12 (NCV)
I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.

Colossians 3:13 (NLT)
You must make the allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you.  Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

​Romans 14:19 (NIV)
Make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

---

​ TEV: Today's English Version   •   CEV: Contemporary English Version   •   NCV: New Century Version   •   MSG: The Message   •   GWT: God's Word Translation   •   NLT: New Living Translation   •   NIV: New International Version