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Order

Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

Psalm 37:23 The Passion Translation (TPT) The steps of the God-pursuing ones follow firmly in the footsteps of the Lord, and God delights in every step they take to follow him.

I offer up two very different translations to clarify one issue and that is order, which is one step following another verses order, which is being told what to do. English can be a confusing language to learn. English translations vary greatly and can at times be misleading.

It is my understanding that the Lord will never ask you to do anything He isn’t willing to do Himself. In many ways being a follower of Christ is following in His footsteps. Now let me ask this all important question. Since every move is in the spirit, where is that next footprint?

This is not an easy thing to ask of a new believer. This is why last year I began this effort with the names of God. If you know the character and personality of God, it makes it easier to recognize His footprint.

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Other translations say to imitate. The inclination in that misunderstanding is to try to be like Paul. That is not at all what Paul wants of you. His hope is that in the same way he, Paul, found the order of steps to follow, that we could find them in the same way.

God is a God of order. Confusion is the way of the enemy.

Psalm 71:1 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

Peaceably

Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

All types are allowed on the playground. If you are going to be there, you have to learn to get along. Paul’s encouragement here starts out with “if it be possible”.

Isaiah 42:14a (KJ21) “I have long time held My peace; I have been still and refrained Myself.”

I am quoting only the first part of Isaiah 42:14 because as a babe in Christ you are not ready for the second part of the verse. Our beginning in Christ has everything to do with holding our peace. It was not our old nature to do so, but becoming new, it is the way of peace that will lead us in the right way to walk with Christ. We cannot control how others act but we are to offer up the opportunity for peace on our part.

Our first selfless act in becoming a babe in Christ should be to act peaceably on this playground. While peace is listed third in the fruits of the spirit, it is quickly followed by the fourth, longsuffering. If the fruits of the spirit are manifested in order as some preach, then peace should be shown before we learn to endure suffering. These are not easy lessons but if kept in order, life in Christ will progress as planned.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

There are perhaps no sadder words than to hear a new Christian say, “I read the ending. I know how this turns out.” Nearly everyone I have heard say that fails to read their bibles properly to extract God’s plan and to discover the journey is so important.