[374 words]
From the book of Exodus comes a great example of doing things right. In chapters 25-29, God gives Moses instructions concerning how the tabernacle is to be built. Many specific directions are given, and God emphasized the importance of following them exactly: “According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.” (Exod. 25:9; see also v.40).
Moses and the Israelites had their orders from God. How did they do? Upon completion of the tabernacle, Exod. 39:32 states, “Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was finished. And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses; so they did.” They did it exactly as God desired, and they were commended for it (Exod. 39:42). They did it right.
There is a lesson in this for us. The inspired writer of the book of Hebrews references this incident in discussing the new covenant of Christ (Heb. 8:1-13). The argument he is making is this: If God required Moses to proceed exactly according to the pattern God showed him, it is also required of the church today to do all things according to the pattern God has revealed in the New Testament.
Concerning the activities of the church, we should be concerned about doing it all according to the pattern shown to us in the New Testament. We should be concerned about doing it right according to God’s desire. It is then that we will be blessed. Doing it right is doing it God’s way.
Men have added so many alterations and innovations to God’s perfect plan of the way of salvation, the simplicity and beauty of worship, and the way the church goes about its mission. Let’s just stick to the pattern and do all that is shown to us in the Scriptures. Let’s obediently serve with fervor, sincerity, and joy knowing that if we follow the pattern, God will be honored and we will never be wrong.
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col. 3:17).