Obedience

"For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist." (Colossians 1:16-17 NKJ)

Some concepts of Scripture are too wonderful! I can hardly resist the urge to exegete them to the exclusion of every other pastoral responsibility. Christ, our Lord and Savior the Creator of the universe and all things therein! Out of nothing, he created all things visible and invisible. That thought alone is enough to keep us engrossed in his majesty for a lifetime.

John the Beloved Apostle proclaimed, "All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made" (John 1:3 NKJ). And here to the Colossians, Paul introduces various levels of created authority: thrones, dominions, powers. And the Apostle Peter asserts that "angels and authorities and powers are subject to Him" (1Peter 3:22 NKJ).

Our Savior is the Awesome Lord of the universe. He is the eternal wisdom of the Father. He is the eternal Word who spoke the world into existence. He is the all-powerful arm of God. He is awesome! And he is our Lord!

God existed before anything and everything. And evidently, he didn't like being alone, so he created all things. They were created for his glory and pleasure. He wanted relationship so he created sentient beings who could think and understand and choose. But, first he created a world in which they could comfortably exist. Earth, oxygen, temperature and so forth that sustains life. Contemplating his wisdom is too wonderful for me and beyond my finite mind.

And after all his creating, before he rested on the seventh day, he implanted perhaps the most important element into his creations: obedience. Everything continues and holds together by the power of his word (Hebrews 1:3). Despite the rumblings of this earth and falling stars and racing meteorites, the universe retains its proper form and frame. It cannot come apart because he has said, "stay in place." It doesn't disintegrate into confusion because he is in control of his creation.

Dear Father, thank you for the heaven and earth and all created things. Empower us to obey you in our lives like you are obeyed in Heaven. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Obey Christ today,