Chaos is Not of God: How His Word Brings Order to Our Lives

Order Is From God - Chaos Is Not of God

There are seasons when life seems completely out of control. Relationships become strained, plans fall apart, and nothing seems to make sense. In moments like these, we may wonder whether the chaos around us has a purpose. Scripture points us to a God who brings order rather than confusion.

In James 3:16, we are told what happens when we are envious (jealous) or self-seeking: confusion and every evil thing come 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 1, 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.

God's work of creation was not simply making things exist. He brought order, purpose, and beauty out of what was without form and void. He separated the light from the darkness, the waters above from the waters below, and the land from the sea. Everything was given its proper place according to His perfect design. Throughout Scripture we see this same pattern. Wherever God is at work, He brings order where sin has produced disorder and peace where the world has created chaos.

How to Become More Ordered

In the same way, our lives become more ordered as we listen to the Word 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 is Not Always 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 that He placed before him an open door and 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.

Walking in the Light

Even when we do not immediately understand God's direction, we are never left to walk alone. Jesus promises to guide those who follow Him. 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 Jesus speaks of is the darkness of a life without God. 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. We are to walk in the light. 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. Although Christ gives us His peace, He never promised that we would live in a peaceful world. Until He returns, His followers must walk in His light while living in a world that often rejects Him.

Living for God in a Chaotic World

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 1 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, He whispers sweet peace to us.

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." God's desire to give His people peace is seen throughout Scripture. Even under the Old Covenant, confusion was presented as a consequence of turning away from Him.

The Lord Blesses Us With Peace

In Deuteronomy 28, one of the many curses God placed on a disobedient Jewish nation was confusion. Christians are no longer under the law, but nonetheless 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 Jesus, who is called the Prince of Peace, 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."

Chaos is not God's design. From the beginning, when God spoke order into what was without form and void, His Word has brought light, purpose, and peace. Even when we live in a world filled with confusion and disorder, we can trust the God who continues to bring order out of chaos and peace to those who follow Him.

Chaos is Not of God