NOV 6
Colossians 2:5
Memorise 1 Corinthians 14:40
“…joying and beholding your order…”

Colossians 2:5 reads “For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.” Paul was away imprisoned in Rome as he was writing this epistle to them. Though he was absent in the flesh, he was with them in the spirit. He shared with them that what brought him great joy, was the good news of their order and steadfastness in their faith, especially in light of the false teachers that were infiltrating the church. The order in the Colossian church that Paul was referring to was the organisation or discipline in the church (1 Corinthians 14:40) to regulate how to worship and serve God. The term “order” in Greek is most often used to describe the battle array, or order of battle, how soldiers are organised against the external enemy. The right order of course, would be in close adherence to the Bible’s standards of how churches ought to function. As such, it would be difficult for false teachers to attack them, compared to churches which have little order and regulation, where false teachers would easily be able to introduce new and enticing but deadly methods of worship or service in their midst. Paul thus rejoiced to know about this order as reported by their pastor Epaphras to him.

How do you feel about your church’s order of worship, the kind of songs that are sung, the Bible version that is read, what kind of ministries there are in your church and who can serve in these ministries? If there is good order, praise God. So many churches today have loose regulations with regards to their worship. They have allowed contemporary Christian music to influence the church from outside, and soon other charismatic influences follow. So many churches have tried to attract numbers by having dancing or cooking classes, which soon brings the world into the church. Please don’t perceive your church as being old-fashioned, run by elderly folk out of touch with the youth! The order in church is meant to protect the body of Christ against external enemies. Don’t betray Christ or cause others to stumble by teaming up with other youth against the church leadership. This is not only harmful to the church, but will also certainly have a negative influence in your spiritual life! Instead, understand that church order is a commandment of God, for God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), and so “let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).

Thought: What negative thoughts have you entertained about your church?

Prayer: May I realise how critical church order is to protect my church.