Being In Order!

Or did the Word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? If anyone things they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. (I Corinthians 14:36-40 NIV)

Instructions pertaining to conducting an orderly worship service, transcend how things should be done in church into orderly function of any entity. To avoid chaos and confusion, order must be established in the function of one's home, businesses, and personal life. For without order--chaos reigns.

If more people would apply The Word to daily living, we could avoid some of the trials and challenges that occur in our lives. Even though many might say, "I don't believe in God or the Bible," the intent behind or contained within The Word--is still applicable to anyone who chooses to apply it to their lives.

What's amazing to me is the number of people who think all of "positive thinkers" and motivational speakers are so great, but they cannot receive the Word of God. In listening to some of the well-known motivational speakers, I've detected their use of The Word as a basis for just about everything they say--much coming from Proverbs and the parables Jesus used to teach others about life. Of course, when people don't know The Word, they have no clue where the speakers got much of their insight and they are left thinking mere mortals are greater than God.

Consider what Jesus said about "counting the cost" before building a house. His reference is to a person being wise and knowing how much the house is going to cost before going ahead and starting building. In life, there are many things we plan to do, but it is only those plans we have carefully considered, that actually work.

And all of the positive thinkers--they get their foundational exhortation from, "As a man thinks, so is he," and "life and death are in the power of the tongue" all from The Word. There's much more, but this limited venue precludes me from going further.

So, in the passage where Paul is encouraging people to conduct a worship service decently and in order, the same is true for other aspects of living. When there is no established order in a home--there is filth and confusion. When there is no established order in a person's personal life--not much is accomplished. And when established order in business is ignored, the end results could be disastrous. There is a rhyme and reason for establishing and adhering to order in all areas of our lives. God plans for us to be prosperous as our soul prospers, but He has provided an order for us in His Word so we can be successful in accomplishing His plans.

Whenever things are not done decently and in order--confusion arises, chaos ensues, feelings get hurt or valuable resources put at risk. Whenever any one person thinks they can change the established order of anything (other than their own lives), they risk an eruption and disruption of everything. In all things, we must consider the costs of our actions.

In order to maintain reputations of honor and integrity and wisdom in all we do, in who we are, and what we stand for, we must act with integrity in all matters and do all things--decently and in order--considering the cost before we do anything.