CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DAILY DEVOTIONAL ON YOUTUBE
1 Corinthians 14:26-33
In 1 Corinthians 14:26-33 the Apostle Paul begins giving order for the church service to help with the confusion that has apparently been going on in the church at Corinth. He gives those of the church at Corinth an example of how the church service should be conducted. He does not forbid them to speak in tongues in the church, but with an interpreter and only for a few at a time (1 Corinthians 14:26-28). He instructs that all teaching in the church should be for edification (1 Corinthians 14:26). And even in his more preferred gift of prophecy, he instructs that only a few should speak, and in an orderly manner so that, “all may learn and be encouraged” (1 Corinthians 14:31, NKJV). The congregation is to “weigh carefully what is said” as Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 14:29 (NIV). Paul also states in 1 Corinthians 14:30-31 (NKJV), “30But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.” Paul concludes this piece of instruction by giving confidence that God is the God of peace, not confusion, and the church service should be conducted in the ways of God.
This is a promise and example that the church service should be conducted in an orderly manner so that everyone may learn and grow in their relationships with God through salvation in Christ Jesus.
I believe that those of the church at Corinth were excited about their newly found salvation in Christ Jesus, but as are we as new Christians, they needed guidance in and through their excitement. God has blessed them with spiritual gifts, but the gifts became the focus of their worship instead of the worship of God Almighty. We too need to learn and grow in our relationships with God through the church service. Understanding and a grasping of God’s word is the goal, so that we can implement what we have learned into our lives. This will help us to not only grow in our walk with the Lord, but others will see God working in our lives and be drawn to Him through our lives; and that is the goal – that we all grow in our relationships with God and experience His great love for us – in Christ!
Dear LORD,
Please help us to realize and understand that in our celebration and excitement of our Christianity – our salvation in and through Your One and only Son Jesus, that You are an orderly God with a purpose for everything that You put in our lives. Please help us to seek order in our lives and in our worship of You – God Almighty – Creator of all things, that we may worship You in a way that brings glory to You through our lives – in Christ! In Jesus name I pray, amen.