For Building Up
As I am working through 1 Corinthians devotionally, 14:26b jumped off the page. "Let all things be done for building up." The immediate context of Paul's imperative is the use of spiritual gifts in the gathering of the church. The church is to ensure all of these things; hymns, lessons, revelations, tongues, interpretations; are done for building up the church because "God is not a God of confusion but of peace."
It is an important reminder for me, as I lead a church that believes these gifts continue today, but the broader context of order in the church has implications for all of us that declare to be Bible-believing Christians.
"Let all things be done for building up." Essentially, whatever you do in the gathering, let it be about building up the church. Instead of creating division, or criticizing others (even in the seemingly innocuous ways we do), our purpose is to be building each other up.
Building each other up through care, gospel reminder, worship, and even our presence with one another.
There are times when discipline and correction are necessary (building up) but for every harsh moment, in a culture of grace, we will be known for the way we build up the church.
Here is to keeping this reminder before us. It sounds like a better way to do church to me, and I hope it does to you too.
It is an important reminder for me, as I lead a church that believes these gifts continue today, but the broader context of order in the church has implications for all of us that declare to be Bible-believing Christians.
"Let all things be done for building up." Essentially, whatever you do in the gathering, let it be about building up the church. Instead of creating division, or criticizing others (even in the seemingly innocuous ways we do), our purpose is to be building each other up.
Building each other up through care, gospel reminder, worship, and even our presence with one another.
There are times when discipline and correction are necessary (building up) but for every harsh moment, in a culture of grace, we will be known for the way we build up the church.
Here is to keeping this reminder before us. It sounds like a better way to do church to me, and I hope it does to you too.
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