A Well Ordered Life

Colossians 1:9-20

I am amazed when I look into the heavens and see just how ordered and sustainable our universe is. To know that it has remained this way for untold thousands of years solidifies my faith in Christ more than ever. Our text tells us that Christ upholds everything by His power. God spoke the universe into being by His word. He said "let there be"and there was. But not only did He create it, He ordered it. It is what scientists and philosophers refer to as a "Fine tuned universe." It is in the right place to sustain life. Not only did He create and order it, but He, by the same word sustains it. Everything has remained in its proper place and orbit and regardless of what the doomsayers say, it will remain that way until Christ comes again. So we need not fear ancient calendars, environmentalists, asteroids, or Hollywood propaganda movies, God is in control!

One other thing I learn is not only do I see a well ordered universe looking out, I can also see a well ordered life within. The same one that created, ordered, and sustained the universe is the same one that has created, ordered, and sustained the new life of His church. Jesus, who is the Word of God, through His death on the cross and the resurrection, began a new creation. Paul said that ”If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (creation)." 2 Corinthians 5:17 Just as God spoke to an earth that was void and without form while the Spirit was moving over it, He does the same thing in the new creation, except the work is done in the human heart. This is called Regeneration or what Jesus referred to as "Being born again." John 3:3 This Christ does by “giving us peace through the blood of His cross!”

But not only did He began a new creation, but He also ordered it. How does He order the Christian life? The same as before! Through His Word! The Psalmist in Psalms 119:133 says "Order my steps through thy word and let not iniquity have dominion over me." The Bible tells us more than just about God, stories, and history. Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:16,17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” In other words it leads to a well ordered life.

But also He sustains His church. Many things have come and gone in the last 2000 years but the church still remains. It's had its ups and downs, good times and bad times, it's triumphs and sins. Yet it still remains. Why? Because it belongs to Him and He is faithful to His word! We too have our share in these, but the God who keeps it ordered out there in the heavens is the same one that keeps it ordered inside the hearts of His people.

There may be times in our walk with Him that we feel like we can't keep it together. We may be on the verge of coming undone or spinning out control trying to juggle life, family, career, and other responsibilities. We may be struggling with sin, addiction, temptation. Just as our solar system revolves around the sun, each planet avoiding catastrophe because of its fine tuned placement, Christ, the son of God, should be the center of our life. He will help us avoid things that can be detrimental to our souls. Paul in verses 9-14 gives us a prayer that helps us prioritize the Christian life putting things in perspective and order. Things such as wisdom, understanding, knowledge, patience, joy and thankfulness. This is the evidence that God’s will is being done in our life. When We submit ourselves to Christ through prayer and allegiance to His word we then realize that it’s not us who holds it together, but Him!

Pray and meditate on Colossians 1:9-14 and see if it doesn’t put things in perspective for you!

Pastor Robby