Day 325

By
God of Order Not Confusion!

Scripture

November 20—1 Corinthians 11-14: Disorders in the Church

Observation

Up to this point Paul has dealt with problems of a personal nature: allegiance, marriage and morality. But now he addresses the public issues in Corinthian church: the veiling of women and the use (and abuse) of the Lord's Supper and spiritual gifts. Disorders in the worship service are serious business (11:30)! Paul then spends three chapters describing the nature and function of spiritual gifts. There are a variety of gifts all given by the same Spirit, who decides "which each one of us should have" (12:11); they are to be exercised in love (13:1-3); and they are to be used so that everyone "can get some good out of it" (14:5). Underlying all that Paul says is the divine prescription for public worship: "Be sure that everything is done properly in a good and orderly way" (14:40).

Application

Visualize the following scene in your mind. You awaken one morning to find that your feet have gone on strike. They are tired of always getting stepped on, and have decided to picket for shorter hours and softer shoes. In fact, they want the same privileges as your hands, or they will secede from the body!

Sound far-fetched? It happens in the church every day (12:15) as Spirit-gifted members of the body seek to do someone else's job! Feet trying to hold silverware or ears trying to see may be humorous in the physical realm, but in the spiritual realm it can have devastating consequences. And when one member suffers in a role for which he is ill-equipped, all the members suffer (12:26).

Scan the list of spiritual gifts in 12:8-10, 28 and single out the areas in which God has gifted you for service in the body of Christ. Now take a hard look at your church involvement. Are you helping or hurting the body in your present role? What needs to change so that you are building up the church? Spend some time in these passages for further light on spiritual gifts: Romans 1:11; 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 2:4.

Prayer

Lord, we know that we must be praying people here at home in order to become mission workers abroad in order to reach those in need of your salvation—for those who do not know you yet. Once one knows you they are then able to find their spiritual gift to edify and uplift others in your church and in their daily walk according to your Word. Wherever we are, Father God, be it at our home, at church or somewhere abroad, we need to be effective missionaries for you. Guide us in this task through your Spirit and we will be so careful to give you the honor, the praise and the glory. In Jesus' name! Amen! 

Guide us Holy Spirit!



© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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