DISARRAY

I Was Just Thinking About – DISARRAY.

The simple definition is: confusion; disorder. Surprisingly, in many of the English Translations of Scripture, the word disarray does not appear. The only usage of the word is in First Samuel 14:16 (International Standard Version) where the Philistines were planning to attack God’s people. How would – how did God intervene?  The text states: “Saul's sentries in Gibeah of Benjamin watched as the camp was in disarray, going this way and that.”

Obviously, confusion and disorder occurred. The Holman translations describes their observation of the  Philistines: “They saw the panicking troops scattering in every direction.” The American Standard Version description: “The multitude melted away, and they went hither and thither.”

Do you ever wonder about the Biblical Church and how Jesus prayed it would be? His focus for it; John 17:3, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” 

In John 17:17-20, they were to be in a special relationship with Him and The Father, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.  And for their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” In other words, Jesus wanted His followers to be Holy in behavior and subscription to His truth.

John 17:22-23 indicates another evidence of the relationship of the Biblical Church to Jesus and the Trinity: “The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,  I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

If we are candid in our assessment of all that claims to be the Biblical Church in the world today, disarray would be a fitting description. The “Church” (so-called) models disunity rather than unity. Even within denominations, disarray is the observation of those who give attention to what the “church” is representing as compared to what the Biblical standard is for God’s people as they assemble together to worship Him. Someone has aptly indicated that most churches could be identified as a Castanet Church – a place where there are many cliques that keep a visitor from a sense of being needed, wanted, or welcomed. Oh, here is an external motion to “welcome” an individual but one soon feels as though he/she is just a number in the calculus of “church growth.”

In Ephesians 4:1-4, Paul was concerned about the church’s witness and what it needed to be and preserve, To that end, he wrote: “I…urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,  eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit…”

Unless – or – until the “Church” changes its ways, it will continue to exhibit disarray, disorder and confusion. One would think that as the variety of places called churches continues to dwindle and become less significant, that there would be a heart-cry of repentance and seeking for a spiritual awakening – Revival. But – no! Those in control keep a grip on the local assembly and are effectively choking off viable and relevant ministry.

Where should the “Church” begin to become what Jesus prayed for and God wants it to be? How about starting with Psalm 85:4-7, “Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.”

Prayerfully – Consider these things with me.