About the Higher Order

The average person usually describes the Church as a collection of local assemblies. Some educated people like to explain various concepts of a community. All of this is true when we describe the local church in earthly terms. However, the Church is much more than an assembly of people. This organization has something no other group has; the authorization of the Almighty sanctioning its operation. We may have trouble describing the Spirit of God in our Church but He must be there. Because of the Spirit, our local church is much more than any other group. When our church contains the Holy Spirit it is a “higher order”. This divine center is so potent that everything done in a church will be about Jesus or it is of no consequence. There is no reward in Heaven for work which has not benefited the Church. Paul was very aware of His authorization; Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. 2 Cor 3:5-6 (NLT) The new covenant is with the Church. Some people today still think that the Church is about a bunch of laws. No; the Church is a higher order because it follows the leading of the Spirit.

It follows then, that when we join our local church it amounts to much more than the joining of any other organization. This may seem a little “out there”, but when we “join” it is similar to a marriage between Christ and a believer. We have a responsibility to be the best spouse possible. In Romans when Paul is explaining the laws of the old covenant versus the Spirit in the modern Church, he makes this comparison: For example, when a woman marries, the law binds her to her husband as long as he is alive. But if he dies, the laws of marriage no longer apply to her… So, my dear brothers and sisters, this is the point: You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ. And now you are united (married) with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God. Romans 7:2-4 (NLT) Our point is a little different than Paul’s but the love and concern we should have for the Church is similar to that of a spouse. A marriage is a commitment to delight in each other as well as to mourn together. We have agreed to make each other’s problems our own and to work through any situation together. This describes the Higher Order that we are a part of.

Both the marriage and the Church have a problem in common today. Their troubles are caused by the selfishness that plagues our American society. If only we could become concerned about other people the way we should, what a difference it would make. Paul explained God’s way for the Church: So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 1 Cor 12:24-27 When the Bible says “parts that have less dignity” it is referring to the body metaphor used by Paul. It is actually talking about people that have some “lack” in their life. For example, some people need a job or maybe they don’t have appropriate food or clothing. Other members may be persecuted or destitute. Maybe they are simply too young to take care of themselves or old and frail. The point is that caring for others in the local church promotes harmony among the members. When we deal with our selfishness the higher order of the Church will be peaceful and happy.

When the Bible refers to the members of a church it usually calls them by more descriptive names. Sometimes we are called “co-workers” indicating that we are in this thing together. At other times we are called “fellow laborers” pointing out that we are working towards a goal. This goal is only to please God in our lives as we work together. We might also be called disciples, testifiers, partakers, imitator, conformer, witness, sympathizers, etc. We are never called a member who sits on a pew for one hour at a time. When Paul was explaining some activities of the Church members, he said this: There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 1 Cor 12:4-7 (NLT) When we were united with Christ the Lord gave us something to do that was needed by our group. Every Christian should know what it is by trial and error, even if we didn’t hear a Great Voice speak. Using our gifts to benefit other people is the result of belonging to God’s family.

The power that a local church prospers with is love. Paul went so far as to say, if: I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Cor 13:2-7 (NLT) Loving other people through the Savior is what every good pastor is asking people to do. Christians can understand how this kind of love contains great power. But getting involved seems to be a problem. Starting small may be the answer. If we all set one thing aside in our “self-life” and begin to give it to other people maybe the Lord will give us bigger things to do. There is nothing better than being part of this Higher Order.