1 Corinthians 14:26
“How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.”
Every business or organization had better have a modus operandi if they want to succeed with their agenda or goals. You will never succeed by doing things without a basis to guide how you operate or have methods to show you how to do things. The degree of your success depends on your modus operandi.
Likewise, the Christian life and the church must have a modus operandi if they want to succeed. God did not leave us without instructions on how to operate. In fact, the Scriptures are filled with God’s modus operandi for the Christian and church. You will find God’s modus operandi for the Christian and church in 1 Corinthians. Three times God uses the phrase, “Let all things…” This phrase is the basis which shows us how God wants us to operate. Let me show you God’s modus operandi.
First, do everything to build others. The verse above says, “Let all things be done unto edifying.” Everything we do in the Christian life is to edify or build others. There are certain principles in Scriptures God gives which should guide the Christian. For instance, God’s direction is always forward, and his purpose is always to build others. If you get God’s direction right and purpose accomplished, you will find that you will influence many for right. Everything you do for Christ should always have the purpose of building others. If you keep your purpose right, you will find it much easier to keep your direction right.
Second, don’t let the end justify the means. 1 Corinthians 14:40 says, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” It’s interesting that God tells us to build others first, but He follows up by teaching us to be sure we do it right. In other words, God is teaching us not to do something with the wrong methods for the purpose of building others. Yes, you should try to build people, but don’t do it at the expense of sacrificing truth and right. God wants things done His way, and to sacrifice truth to get more people to build is wrong. In fact, you will fail miserably in your attempt to build people if you forsake the methods God gives to do it. His methods are as much a part of building people as is His purpose. God’s modus operandi is to build people while doing it the right way.
Third, don’t run over people to succeed. 1 Corinthians 16:14 says, “Let all your things be done with charity.” You can have a great heart to grow for the sake of helping more people, but don’t run over those whom you are trying to help for the sake of growth. If we are not careful, our zeal to help others will cause us to hurt the ones we are trying to help. If you do everything with charity, you will find your love for people will keep you from doing things that harm them.
God’s modus operandi is simple; make your purpose to build people, don’t sacrifice who you are to do it, and don’t run over them to accomplish it. If you do things God’s way, you will find that in the end more people are helped, and fewer people will be hurt. Let this modus operandi be your guide to keep your purpose, methods and focus right.