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Briefing 362
November 2008
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Couldn't Help Noticing

An online survey of issues, events and ideas

Orderliness is next to Godliness

Gordon Cheng / 6th July 2006

In 1 Corinthians 14:33, Paul says, “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace”. Does he mean something like, “Cleanliness is next to godliness”, except that order, rather than cleanliness, is his focus?

Previously in 1 Corinthians 11, Paul drew the link between the ordered being of God, and the way men and women are to relate (1 Cor 11:3-12). Here again in chapter 14, the nature of God is linked to the way men and women relate (1 Cor 14:33-35).

Who we are, and how we relate as men and women, and as Christians in congregations, is important. But here Paul seems to suggest that it is very important indeed, reflecting the very being of God.

So, instead of providing a definitive answer, my question is this: how is the character and nature of God to be reflected in human relationships, and in our relationship to God and to the world he has made? There is order apparent from the moment of creation—the way the world was made and the place of men and women in it. Sin overthrows this order, and even now within churches, our old sinful natures will assert themselves in overthrowing order in various ways—in authority, leadership and other practices. But a church in disorder doesn't reflect the character of God.

Look at 1 Corinthians to see how this is worked out in practice.

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