Decently and in Order

11.13.13

1 Corinthians 14.39-40 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order. (ESV)

I am a Pentecostal. I’m probably more a reluctant Pentecostal than anything else. I struggle with verse 39 (above) but am all over verse 40. I’ve been down the conservative evangelical paths (theologically speaking) and have moved into the camp of the less conservative and more liberal in expression (that’s how I’d classify Pentecostals).

I’ve been told that speaking in tongues is an evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Not sure I’m gonna go there. I’ve been told that speaking in tongues enhances evangelism and the sharing of the Gospel. Not sure I’m gonna go there either. (I think what enhances evangelism is spending time with Jesus and allowing His life to shine through mine. I think what enhances people’s lives is reading God’s word, not to teach it, but to live it.)

I do know this: all things should be done (in the church and in life) with decency and in order. I’m not splitting hairs over decently and decency. I’m not trying to control the Holy Spirit either. Paul emphasized prophesy but made room for tongues. But I think he was maybe saying: always do what you do for the right reason at the right time.

1 Corinthians is a difficult letter because Paul deals with difficult issues. And there seems to me to be a cloud of mystery hanging over much of what he deals with in chapters 12 and 14. But just when I think he’s gonna drive the bus off the cliff he says: So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But all things should be done decently and in order. And here (or there) I remain a reluctant, but committed, Pentecostal – tongues and all.

Our faith can be distinctive in style – that’s probably what separates us the most because it really isn’t our beliefs. No, not everyone is going to buy into my perspective on tongues but I probably won’t buy into their solemn, somber, long-faced expression of faith either. I’m not criticizing their expression, I’m just not comfortable in a church gathering where that is the norm. (Nor am I going to be comfortable where the announcements are shared in tongues.) Our unique expressions of our common faith are what make us who we are. Past that, we’re pretty much all the same.

Now then, I’m not going to go to the head-honchos of my denomination and tell them what I think and where I think they’re wrong (according to me). I am going to celebrate the life of Jesus in me with my fellow parishioners and love them decently and in order. I think that’s about the best I can do. I’m not going to read my Bible so I can pound them over the head with what I read, but that I may live out the truth in front of them that I may in whatever way enhance their lives for Jesus. It’s about the most and the least I can do decently and in order.

Father, it isn’t my perspective that’s important it’s enhancing people’s lives for the Kingdom that matters. My local church our the larger denomination may have their distinctives and quirks, but they are no reason for leading a one man parade down a dead-end street. Help me today to enhance people’s lives decently and in order that what I do and say may adorn the truth that you are God and You love us all dearly. Amen.