Chosen Order

1. Make me lowly, keep me lowly, may I never, never rise
    ‘Bove the order God has placed me, may I be both low and wise.
May I keep my eye directed on the pillar of true Light,
    God’s anointed, chosen order, this will guide my steps aright.

2. In the starry realms of heaven where we’ll see God’s radiant face,
    Circling round the throne in order, ev’ry creature knows its place.
Watchful over those below it, swift to act for those above;
    No oppression, no rebellion, this is God’s eternal love.

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Instrumental – Sampled Sounds

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The entrance of sin into the universe began before this earth was created. It started in heaven, with the angel who, next to Christ, stood highest among the heavenly host.

Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee…Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness. – Ezekiel 28:14,15,17

It was pride in his beauty and talents that led him to think that he should have a higher place in heaven. When this was not given to him, he promoted himself, and strove for a position that God had not appointed to him.

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. – Isaiah 14:12-14

The refusal of heaven to acknowledge this self-appointment led to the struggle, and eventual fall, of Satan, and his followers. This struggle continues on earth, and is manifested everytime the spirit of self-exaltation and strife for the highest place is shown among men.

Since the church on earth is organized by the same principles as the pattern in heaven, there must be a carefulness to avoid this spirit of self-appointment and exaltation. Therefore, those who stand as ministers must have the appointment of God, and not simply be accepted because of their talent and ambition. And they must be recognized by the church as having that appointment.

All leading positions in the church are positions of service: service for God, and service to the church members. Only those in whom is the spirit of a humble servant can occupy those places. A true minister will never act as a pope or king.

At the same time, a minister’s faithful service to God requires the pointing out of sin, and therefore the members of the church who recognize that appointment, must be willing to submit to the warnings and rebukes given, as from Christ. More than this, they must even value those warnings, as the counsel of God sent to save them from destruction.

When these two principles are cherished: divine appointment of the minister, and his faithfulness in service; and submission, obedience, and joy for his service on the part of the church members, then church unity and peace will result. It will be a small foretaste of what Jesus prayed, “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

The early church, described in the counsel to the church of Ephesus in the book of Revelation, exercised discernment in this area and were commended for it:

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars. – Revelation 2:2

This song was written for a series of studies we had on this topic, which was called Gospel Order.

Tags: Gospel Order