GodReflection: Has God Noticed?—The World Is In Chaos.

Good morning. In many ways the current posts are an attempt to build on the foundation of hope explored in my last series. Last week I shared two realities. First, our world made a pristine entrance that Creator God declared seven times to be good at the end of each breath of creation.

Second, Satan, a real fallen angelic being, introduced chaos and his presence into God’s perfect creation when he rebelled against Holy God. Thus, the rhetorical question, why is it God receives blame for a Satan-filled chaotic world?

So, back to our original question, has God noticed the world is in chaos? The storyline from Genesis through revelation shouts “yes”. God not only knows but he is at work to reclaim what Satan destroyed. Yet, the chaos continues. Therefore, it seem to me to be a fair question to ask at this point. Just who Is God, and should I care that chaos continues?

In his book, He Loves Forever, the late Thomas Olbricht, a former professor, who made more of an impact on my life than he could possibly have known, traces what he calls ‘the enduring message of God from the Old Testament’ as a testimony to God’s mission of returning Satan’s chaos to the pristine good of creation. Professor Olbricht helps me see “Just who is God”? He is the Creator God of Love who can’t help himself but to commit to total restoration. His restoration project includes me as a participant.

As the Old Testament helps me see God’s heart, it is in the New Testament where Jesus reveals God as a loving friend. God is revealed through the life of Jesus, he invites me to meals, he cares when I hurt, he is patient with my weakness, provides for my needs, walks with me in times of sorrow, encourages me when I am down. He forgives all my sin.

On the Cross and from the open tomb God begins his final moves to restore chaos with eternal good.  With the cross he took the decisive step to do away with Satan forever. He dies for me, is raised, and sets me on the road to restoration. He leaves me confident of a new resurrection as a Jesus follower in this life, and a final resurrection with a perfect body on a new earth under a new heaven where I will live chaos free for eternity with the Holy and experience eternal good. Not even a hint of chaos will be present.

In the meantime, which is our present, Father, Son, and Spirit, continue to work the Holy plan of divine renewal over chaos which is no less than to renew creation itself in perfect union with God and humanity.

Here is where once again I find myself in the picture. I am part of the chaos Satan placed into creation that Jesus came to make right. When I signed onto his kingship through my trust, my confession, and my baptism, it was no less than acceptance of his invitation to join with the Holy in the work to defeat Satanic chaos. That alone aligns me with all who want to see chaos wiped from the face of God’s creation.

So, in the interim as long as God grants me life on this earth, my assignment is a partnership with the holy to pray and act in a manner that will diminish chaos on earth. The best part is knowing that our combined effort will lead to a day in God’s future when chaos will be removed eternally from his cleansed earth.

Shouldn’t it be cause for alarm when I find myself the chaos-maker rather than one who walks in step with the Prince of Peace? What if every member of God’s Kingdom on earth (including me) took seriously our relationship as partners with the Holy to erase Satanic chaos? Is it possible we would start to witness the results of Jesus prayer? Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells

A GodReflection on Just Who Is God, and Should I Care That Chaos Continues? 

Gary@GreatCities.org  

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