Normal Nonsense

Daily Reading:  1 Corinthians 14

All things should be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14.40)

Devotional Thought: "I really enjoyed the service last Sunday - not like your regular nonsense on Sunday mornings."  That - from a retired pastor attending my church - was one of the most backhanded compliments I had ever received.  I'm still not sure it was a compliment.  You don't like my regular nonsense?  Ouch! 

Paul found himself having to deal with some normal nonsense in the Church at Corinth.  Disorderly worship, especially as evidenced in their practice of speaking in tongues, was causing a problem in the church.  There is a lot of misunderstanding and misinterpreting what Paul says here, but an honest reading of the chapter shows that Paul is tactfully dealing with a practice that is disruptive and divisive: "Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue" (v. 19).

The Corinthians were enamored with speaking in tongues for the same reason that they elevated certain charismatic super-apostles.  Tongues-speaking was exciting, and the Corinthians loved excitement!  They also loved viewing themselves as superior to others: superior gifts, superior freedom, superior knowledge, superior apostles, and with tongues: superior ecstasy.  Paul gently leads them back to what is important: building others up.

Paul’s teaching here in 1 Corinthians mirrors what he wrote in Philippians 2. Whatever we do in the church, we should have our brothers’ and sisters’ best interests in mind.  We must not selfishly push our agenda to the neglect of others. 

After my brother's indelicate words, I did examine my worship planning and attempt to do "things decently and in order."  After all, what's normal to me may be nonsense to someone else!

Prayer: Father, I know that you are a God of order and not confusion.  If you were not, then the stars would be running into each other.  Help me - in the living out of my faith - to do all things "decently and in order."  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 111:6-10

6 He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations.

7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.

8 They are established for ever and ever, enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.

9 He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever— holy and awesome is his name.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.