The teachings of Jesus hold immense power and purpose! From his initial commands, "repent," "be born again," and "follow me," to his command to "receive God's power" (Luke 24:49), 48 commands in all, Jesus aims to bring order to our personhood and relationships. By achieving orderliness with Jesus’ commands within ourselves, we are promised to receive the Holy Spirit more profoundly, drawing others into the faith and building God's kingdom on earth (Acts 1:4-5). The Holy Spirit gives us power from on high, instilling higher beliefs, values, and practices. Through Jesus, we can attain eternal power and divine nature (Romans 1:20), allowing us to live a life of grace and truth, as exemplified in the creation story in Genesis 1 and 2 and the ministry of Christ – an orderly ministry where Christian Character Counts.
From a Christian perspective, orderliness involves intentionally organizing and arranging one's heart, mind, and soul systematically and harmoniously, following the teachings of Christ. It requires aligning our lives with His principles and values, creating a sense of structure, discipline, and sensibility. Orderliness encompasses good stewardship of our lives and cultivating Christ-like traits maintained by spiritual practices. By practicing orderliness, we strive to foster spiritual growth, nurture a closer relationship with God, and open ourselves to His power and Holy guidance.
To remain on the right path, Christians must interpret and understand Jesus' teachings accurately; otherwise, unnecessary problems arise. Chaos becomes the outcome rather than God's intended orderliness. The primary concern for most Christians is receiving God's power His way rather than their way. When pride and selfishness cloud our interpretation of God's truth, it leads to different interpretations, disagreements, and conflicts among people. This error hinders spiritual growth, damages relationships, and hampers transformational living, turning God's design upside down. It results in chaos rather than order, leading to an obsession with interpreting God selfishly and pridefully.
God's people can take specific steps to navigate their wrong ways of learning and applying Jesus' principles and teachings. First, Christians can seek guidance from trusted sources such as biblical scholars, theologians, and church leaders who can provide insights and a broader understanding of Jesus' teachings, spiritual practices (meditation, prayer, study, etc.), and the concept of orderliness. Chaotic Christians can align themselves with God's order by engaging in open dialogue, studying the Scriptures with an open mind, and always seeking God’s Spirit. Doing so allows them to lead good, orderly lives and genuinely live out their faith rather than being hypocritical and unsympathetic to God’s Way, Truth, and Life.
As we look at the chaotic and disorderly world around us, it becomes evident why aligning ourselves with God's order is the solution for a better reality in the present. I encourage everyone to strive for divine orderliness within their souls. By doing so, we can transfer God's power to others through the incredible work of the Holy Spirit. If we pursue this path, God promises a life of fulfillment, happiness, and success, where Christian Character Counts.
With God's empowering presence,
Pastor Drake