A NEW PROTOCOL

I Was Just Thinking About - - - 

The idea of a “protocol” implies there there is a set and distinct order that is followed within the framework of international agreements, as well as an understanding that all attendant parties in an agreement or an event have an obligation to abide by the historic and accepted modus operandi (the mode of operating - the way of doing or accomplishing). Inherent within “protocol” is the practice of courtesy, etiquette, formalities, manners and order. When a new protocol (or practice) was introduced into the Church of the first century, the Apostle Paul reminded the people of a simple and basic rule for behavior. It is recorded in I Corinthians 14:40 (ESV), “But all things should be done decently and in order.”

Whatever action is taken or behavior practiced, a couple of principles should always be adhered to: decently and in order is one of them and subjection to normal accountability is the other. If or when these principles are ignored or suppressed, disorder and indecency will surface and become the rule for the day. Within the area of politics, this generation is experiencing the activity and practice of people who believe they are immune from normal accountability. They drift toward operating by fiat (an authoritative decree, sanction, order) and have the anticipation that people will be disinterested or gullible when it comes to the mandates that ensue. When it carries over to the area of religion, the same strategy of modifying God’s protocols is employed and too few people seem concerned or interested in the ramifications that are or have taken place. One major historic denomination that receives the most attention is reported to be within seven votes of ratifying the Biblical definition for marriage to allow for same gender relationships. If someone raises the Biblical order of Creation, the new protocol dismisses it as a passé view and champion some form of theistic evolution (or just radical evolution). They dismiss the simple logic that God could’ve created a male companion for Adam in the Garden of Eden rather than a female companion who had the capacity for reproduction. 

Throughout Biblical History, there are numerous examples where the chosen people of God allowed themselves to embrace cultural norms rather than Biblical normalcy. Gradually, the things of the world became more desirable to those of the Spirit; the lusts of the flesh supplanted the fruit of the Spirit; carnality became more appealing than Spirituality; the enticements of the ungodly were embraced and enjoyed; and obedience to cultural mandates produced disobedience to God’s standards and the inherent moral values. The result is that Cultural Chaos is the rule of the day and all too few seem concerned about it. 

For those with common sense and a heart for the things of Almighty God, there is ray of hope in the words spoken by and recorded in Isaiah 30:18-22 (NASB), “Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who long for Him. O people in Zion, inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you. Although the Lord has given you bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher. Your ears will hear a word behind you: This is the way, walk in it, whenever you turn to the right or to the left. And you will defile your graven images overlaid with silver, and your molten images plated with gold. You will scatter them as an impure thing, and say to them: Be gone!”

Are you one who is longing for that day and listening for the voice of the Lord saying to you and our cultural society, “This is My way! You must walk in My way!” When one responds affirmatively to Him and His Word and Way, then He will respond favorably once again to His people. If we continue to ignore Him as a nation, He will ignore us. How much longer will it be before we come to our senses and return to the Lord and seek Him? Consider these things with me!