Order is from God - Chaos is Not of God
In James 3:16, we are told what happens to us when we are envious (jealous) or self-seeking, confusion and every evil thing comes upon us. Some translations say disorder and evil practices. We know that the only thing that can bring order out of confusion, or chaos, is the very word of God. In Genesis chapter one the Spirit of God hovered over the waters and the world was "without form and void" which is an expression that means chaotic. When God began to speak, the world began to be ordered.
How to Become More Ordered
Just so our lives become more ordered as we listen to the words of God. When we study our Bibles, listen to sermons, or pray with others for the will of God, our lives will become less chaotic and more peaceful. We will see things in our lives be put in their proper places, our relationships will be calmer, our faith stronger.
Confusion v Chaos
There is a subtle difference between confusion and chaos. Confusion is a lack of understanding or organization while chaos is when everything around you seems crazy and seemingly makes no sense. Confusion can sometimes simply be a time in your life when you are uncertain about the will of God for yourself. God can use this type of confusion to grow our faith.
Paul experienced this uncertainty about God's will on his missionary journey to Macedonia (Acts 16: 6-7). Paul had plans to go to other parts of Asia but God had different plans for him. God spoke to Paul in a dream to tell him where he needed to go. Paul's confusion about where his next missionary journey would take him required him to wait on the Lord. When we are required to wait, we often find our faith strengthened.
A Life in Darkness
Our Lord speaks to us in John 8:12,
"Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
This darkness that Jesus speaks of is the darkness of chaos. It is a life without meaning. A life that seems incomprehensible. A life lived for no purpose. But our Lord says that if we follow Him we will have the light of life. Our life will be one of peace (not to be confused with easy), it will be a life that has meaning and that meaning will be found in Jesus.
A World of Chaos
As Christians we live in a world of chaos. Our world seems consumed with self-seeking and jealousy. Because of this it is disordered, chaotic. This chaos intrudes on us and seeks to destroy us. We know that chaos is not of God. In I Corinthians 14:33, Paul writes that God is not the author of confusion or chaos. Quite the opposite, God wants peace for us. Jesus tells us it is His peace that He gives us (John 14:27). We are told that we are fighting a spiritual battle against the Devil, the one who brings chaos and disunity (Ephesians 6:12). Even in this fight we can find peace.
Peace, Be Still
Just as Jesus calmed the angry waves, so today He calms the chaos around us with just a word. What did Jesus say to the waves? "Peace, be still," (Mark 4: 39). Satan creates chaos by trying to deceive people, by confusing them. Satan lies about the very nature of God and makes people believe that seeking their own good is the thing that matters most and will bring them happiness. Perhaps, like Jesus, we can say to those who bring chaos to our lives, "Peace, be still."
The Lord Blesses Us With Peace
In Deuteronomy 28, one of the many curses God placed on a disobedient Jewish nation was confusion. As Christians we are no longer under the law, but none the less our obedience is necessary and is proof of our love for God (John 14:21). Nothing can be worse than living a chaotic, disobedient life without love for God. God's order brings peace. We must wrap ourselves in the peace of Christ so that the chaos of this world does not make us give up.
We agree with the Psalmist in Psalm 29:11,
"The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace."
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