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Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Decently and in order

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I have heard the above phrase often. Sometimes it is spoken from the pulpit, frequently it is said by laymen who have heard it from the pulpit.

It is usually intoned as a reason to not do something that extends beyond other's comfort zones.

To get the scripture quoted read all of ICorinthians. To get a strong taste of the context, read ICorinthians chapters 13 and 14. For just the verse that "decently and in order" is pulled from, see ICorinthians 14: 40 "Let all things be done decently and in order."

That's it; "decently and in order" is scripture.

Now read it again.

Do you want to take the scripture decently in order? Then your first commandment is "Let all things be done." Once you try all things, learn how they may be decently performed, then establish order.

"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembreth that we are dust." Psalms 103: 13, 14

God watched us learn to walk, he knows we drag the tablecloth down when we fall. God wants us to try. As we become conversant in his will, he will guide us into further understanding of the proper way to act. But, the first step is; do all things you are exhorted to do by scripture.

One of my favorite preachers is Arthur Blessitt he walks around the world, witnessing to all he encounters; and he does it with LOVE! I'll paraphrase a journey he described about walking across Africa. In each village he entered he would ask if any one spoke English; God always provided a translator. Arthur would preach and the Holy Spirit would lead many to Jesus. Arthur would appoint the English speaker as pastor, and hand him a New Testament. He would exhort the new pastor to read the gospels and discover all about Jesus, then the new leader of the flock was instructed to read Acts and do everything he read.

Jesus said "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he will not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." John 16: 13, 14

The Bible is so simple and direct you have to be taught how to misunderstand it. With no scripture teacher but the Holy Spirit, the new pastor was way ahead of those who are taught their limitations first.

Often people teach what they have learned from people taught by others. It is best to go to the source of knowledge and investigate for yourself. The nice thing about reading the Bible with the Holy Spirit directing you is there are no filters required, the truth is not clouded by personal interpretation. If I say something, read the scriptures to check it out; if the Bible says something, believe it.

Pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance.

Read the four Gospels.

Read the book of Acts;

Do all things,
decently,
and in order.

The guidance system does nothing when the rocket is sitting on it's pad. The Holy Spirit is our guidance system; get off your pad so the Spirit can take over. God is more than big enough to correct our errors and work everything to good. Our job is to act when and how he directs.

"Let all things be done decently and in order."

Jesus is Lord!

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