Decently

January 23, 2013


               "Let all things be done decently and in order." - I Corinthians 14:40

Dear Friend,



Decently can be defined as to be done properly, orderly, in the right way. (definitions.net)
It is interesting therefore to note that Paul in I Corinthians chose to indicate decency as the
standard and reiterate its importance by lending a definition in the same verse.
More astounding is the scope of decency commanded,  decency is to be observed in "all things".  "Let all things be done decently and in order."

I heard a preacher say once, "all means all."  Inclusive.  When we read all in the Bible to describe the scope of a matter:  Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God"; Jesus said in St. John 16:15 "All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you."; In St. Matthew 28:18 we read: "And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."   All means all!

How can we follow decency and order in a world that appears to be filled with such chaos.
I contend based on the truth of scripture that there can be no decency apart from order. 

God has set everything in order as it has pleased Him. The sun,moon and stars hang in their proper places decently and in order.  They don't try to upstage one another.  They hang, they shine and appear as ordered by the Most High God.  The birds of the air, the lilies of the fields chirp, and bloom decently and on schedule as ordered, timely at the command of the Most High God. 

How does this happen?  The beast of the field and the fowls of the air move at his command.  Consider Psalm 50:11-15

 

  I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?
 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:
 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.


God is Decency. He is Order and has set life in motion as we know it, with His Word. God said "let there be and it was ordered!  .  There can be no decency or order apart from the Word of God.  The guidance that we seek in our personal lives and the order and direction sought by elected officials cannot be attained apart from God's divine provision.

Psalms 37:23: 

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way."

Often times when company comes before the door is answered a family member might ask before opening the door: "Is everyone decent. 

Jesus is knocking. Are we decent?  Is our house in order? 
There is a remedy -  We can pray as the Psalmist did in Psalms 119:133:

"Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me."

God bless!

Sis. Stephanie D. K. Tyus