By Pastor Bob Lawrenz
Paul Writes at the end of 1 Corinthians 14 that all things are to be done decently and in order when it comes to the gifts of the Spirit. Paul warns the Church there that if everyone is speaking in various tongues, a visitor might think they are all gone mad (14:23). Jesus teaches of a Roman Centurion in Luke 7 who exhibited an understanding of the "chain of command" within the Holy Trinity. In Matthew 19 and again in Mark 10, Jesus is quoted as saying that the first shall be last, and the last shall be first when it comes time to inherit everlasting life. All these and more in scriptures tell us that God loves order.
Do you remember the Fire Drills that we all practiced in school when we were young? It was to provide for an orderly exit from the building, so the most number of students could be saved in case of a fire. Confusion and chaos breed pushing and shoving, and no one is saved when it's every man-for-himself. An orderly exit provided for a steady stream of children safely coming out of the building.
God provides for order, and decency in all things, and He honors those that listen to Him. Ephesians 6 takes us from the order of Chapter 5 within marriage, to an orderly and decent life in the broader household. This is still part of our walk as the "new man in Christ." It begins internally within, then to our most intimate relationships, and finally outward to the rest of the house. Dare I say that it should then extend to the world around us as well? Is the world in chaos? The Gospel brings a central focus for all, and an orderly society in its wake.
Order tends to slow us down and cause us to think about priorities, about the greater good, about selfless acts and accomplishing the most with the least amount of effort, and all with impeccable timing.
Like our Fire Drills when young, we had them frequently to condition us to order, and to train us to accomodate one another.
"...For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of christ." Ephesians 4:12
