1 Corinthians 14:36-40 

³⁶Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? ³⁷If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. ³⁸But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored. ³⁹Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. ⁴⁰But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

The Beginning

         Someone elaborated when God created everything. He said, “A long, long time ago, all the way back when there was nothing, no earth, no heavens, no created being, only God existed. And God created out of nothing everything he wanted to exist, and it happened.” Can you imagine that? Possibly fairly vague.

         How did a mighty powerful God create everything out of nothing? Limited brain cannot conceptualize how God formed mankind out of dust on the ground.

Together, let’s learn from what it narrated in Genesis 2:7-8, ⁷The Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. ⁸Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.

         God created something out of nothing. God formed mankind out of dust on the ground. God is Creator, but what is the hobby of God? God is a gardener.  Well, try gardening in your lifetime, and you will discover why gardening is godly hobby. Do you know the first lesson of life Adam learned from God? Gardening! God put Adam in the Garden of Eden to learn about gardening, his godly hobby.

         Actually, Christ Jesus confirmed the gardening hobby of God the Father in

John 15:1, ¹I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

Seriously, God gave us life. We did not give life to ourselves. We did not create ourselves. We cannot readily internalize how the biblical story of creation happened. But this mysterious reality that God created mankind from the dust of the ground can possibly be conceptualized by faith which is a gift from God.

Have you received the gift of faith that comes from God? It requires faith for us to correctly interpret the Scripture and practically apply in our life. It is by faith we trust that God designed the best things that may benefit us. By faith we believe that Jesus Christ came to give us life in its fullness. Let’s reflect on what it declares about Jesus Christ in John 1:1-4, ¹In the beginning was the Word,and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was with God in the beginning. ³Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 

         The Word who was God is Jesus Christ our Creator born in human flesh. He came and exemplified obedience to God even unto his death. The abundant life that Christ promised is explored in obedience to him. How? We discover the fullness of life that Christ promised by following the command that God gave us.

         God has designed it that the only means to discover life in its fullness that Christ promised is by faith in him. Again why? Humans have different level of intellectuality or rationality. Therefore, to have impartial chance and to be fair with everyone, intellectual or not, we explore abundant life as we obey God by faith.

         By faith, we trust that the words of God are guidelines for abundant life.

1.  Word

³⁶Or did the word of God originate with you?

Or are you the only people it has reached? 

The word of God that Apostle Paul asked if it was exclusively originated with the Corinthians only, he may have been pertaining to the gospel of Christ.

         Certainly, the Corinthians could acknowledge that originally, Apostle Paul and his mission team shared the gospel of Christ with them, and the word of God was not exclusively shared with them only. Other people have heard it already.

         Why should Apostle Paul need to remind them of such eventual reality?

Did Paul want the Corinthians to pay attention to his advice for them to have peace and order whenever they gather as a church to worship God? Possibly.

         Likewise, since the word of God did not originate from us, we have to be prayerful also when we interpret the word of God. We have to seek inspiration of the Holy Spirit to understand his commands since we do not have exclusivity of the good news of salvation. Our behavior as believers of Christ during church assembly or in other public places should manifest the good news of salvation.

         Seriously reflect on Colossians 1:9-10, ⁹Continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, ¹⁰so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.

         To do good work in the eyes of the Lord, we should follow his word. The word of the Lord defines what is good in his eyes. To follow his instruction, we ask God to fill us with knowledge of his will with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Can wisdom from the Holy Spirit help us also in practical activities?

         If you wish to be promoted as manager, learn how to behave and think as manager. Learn how to manage people. Wisdom from the Holy Spirit helps us learn from great leaders. One of the greatest leaders of all times was Moses.

         Together, let us learn from the great Moses in Exodus 33:12-16, ¹²Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ ¹³If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” ¹⁴The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” ¹⁵Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. ¹⁶How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

To be the greatest leader of Israel, what was the open-secret of Moses?

The presence of the Lord was with Moses. Despite the grumbling and complaints of the Israelites Moses sensed rest because the presence of the Lord was with him. The presence of the Lord was distinctive experience of Israel that other people on earth had not experienced. How do we sense the presence of the Lord in our life? We prayerfully seek empowerment of the Holy Spirit always.

         We also need to know the will of the Lord for us, how? Listen to his word!

Reflect on Ephesians 5:15-17, ¹⁵Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

         It’s wise to understand and do the will of the Lord, otherwise, it’s foolish. Anything we do that God did not prescribe is foolishness. Can you accept that? It has no eternal value at all if it’s not the will of God, even if it’s good in our eyes.

Many people love sports cars. Sports cars are great but wise drivers agree that sports cars are not the best car for winter driving, especially during heavy snowfall. Ask old time Canada drivers which vehicles are best during snowfall.

Truly, we can learn great ideas from great people. And as children of God, we read, listen, explore and learn from his word written in the Scripture.

2.  Writing

³⁷If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. ³⁸But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.

         Apostle Paul was confident that his writing was command from the Lord. He wrote that women, particularly wives should remain silent in the churches. And, he may have anticipated that church attendees, especially women, would argue when he advised that wives should ask their husbands at home. To remain silent in church assembly is graceful for women who have Christian husbands.

         Anyone gifted by the Spirit will acknowledge that what Apostle Paul wrote is command of God. Unless gifted by the Spirit, godly commands are ignored.

         Whenever you read the Scripture, do you sense some resistance against God’s command? What’s your initial reaction? Did you want to obey it or ignore it? Did you feel like, godly commands are not written for you? Why is that? Let us reflect on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ¹⁶Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray continually, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

         How do you interpret these commands? Can you readily internalize them? Imagine for a while. If you were a victim of wildfire or you’ve got friends or family members who live on the other side of the border, in California for example. You heard the news. Their home was totally destroyed by wild fire. Just imagine.

Can you rejoice always? Can you give thanks to God and accept that it’s his will for them in Christ Jesus that their home and property were destroyed?

We can learn from Job. Job was very wealthy. He was the most righteous person in his generation, and God tested his integrity. All properties of Job were destroyed, his children died, he was stricken with disease, and his wife told him to curse God and die. But Job proved his integrity when he declared in Job 1:21,

                ²¹Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”

         Our property may not be destroyed by wildfire. But there are bad elements of the society who just randomly destroy anything for no reason. Our dreams can be shattered if things don’t result according to our plan. We expect relatives and friends to support our cause, but they have their own dreams, and we feel left out and ignored. How can we rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances that don’t favor us? How can we accept difficulties and struggles as God’s will?

         Apostle Paul testified in Philippians 4:12-13, ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

         Are you contented working in an entry level job that only pays minimum wage? Or are you contented that your salary is higher than majority of the work force? Are you satisfied that your retirement benefit is just enough to pay utility bills? Are you satisfied that your dream of traveling won’t happen sooner?

         Partially, we can be gratified like Apostle Paul through Jesus Christ who strengthens us. In this world, there’s partial contentment. Complete contentment can be explored only in heaven. The Lord allows circumstances (good or bad) to happen for our good, and we keep trusting that reality. Can you sincerely agree?

         Truly, we praise and thank God for good or bad circumstances by faith in Christ. How? We need the spiritual gift of prophecy to seriously acknowledge what it declares in Romans 8:28. ²⁸We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

         Well, it’s easy to be thankful when things favor us. When things don’t favor us, we pray for increase of faith to sincerely internalize that God must have great purposes for us who love him. Love of God comes from his Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit produces love in us to love God and understand his mysterious ways.

3.  Way

          ³⁹Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. ⁴⁰But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

         It’s fitting and orderly way for interpreters to explain correctly in common language what is spoken in tongue. Moreover, it is much better to desire the greater gift of prophecy because both the prophet and listeners will benefit.

         It’s fitting and orderly way to be sure that godly messages are understood. Why did Apostle Paul prioritized peace and order in the churches? Did the Holy Spirit reveal to him that the enemy of the gospel of Christ will not remain silent?

The enemy of the gospel always capitalizes on opportunities to confuse us.

Together, let us reflect on Ephesians 6:10-12, ¹⁰Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

The church is the bride of the Lamb of God. Christ is the Lamb of God. Church life is compared to husband-wife relationships. Relationship between husband and wife becomes very complicated after honeymoon stage is over.

Don’t Go!

         In a short video published online, the husband was preparing to leave. He put some clothes, tools and food in his bag and took a bath. While he was taking a bath, his jealous wife peek into his bag and saw some clothes, tools and food in it. She felt so sad and thought to herself, “Will he leave me today? Will he?”

         The husband was ready to leave but his wife was hugging his bag tightly. He said, “I am going now! Give me my bag!” The wife pleaded in deep anguish, “Please don’t leave me! I’ll cook for you! I’ll wash your clothes! Just don’t leave me, please!” Her husband said, “What are you talking about? Give my bag. I am almost late for work.” When she heard that her husband was going to work, she gave his bag and said to herself, “Ahh! He’s going to work. He’s not leaving me!”

         Complete trust for each other practically exhibits a stronger relationship.  Seriously, let’s reflect on Ephesians 5:24-25, ²⁴As the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. ²⁵Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

Husband and wife relationship is the most practical illustration of intimate relationship with Christ. Wives submit to their husbands as expression of trust in Christ, and husbands sacrificially love their wives as Christ sacrificially loved the church, and these are fitting and orderly commands between husband and wife.

When husband and wife have misunderstanding, to listen to each other is useful. Similarly, we pray to express our desires and petitions to the Lord, but we also need to attentively listen to his word. We trust that his commands favor us. Our faith in him and our relationship with him grow stronger when we obey God.

Christ is coming sooner. We should always be prepared and not caught by surprise. While waiting for the return of Christ, we must depend on his Holy Spirit always to accomplish church activities in fitting and orderly way according to his word. Come, Lord Jesus Christ sooner not later, please! Maranatha!

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