In Genesis 1 we read about God bringing a perfectly ordered and fine-tuned creation out of a primeval watery chaos. He then gives it to us to do the same. We human beings were put in charge. God made us the stewards and caretakers of the world and each other. This is what is meant by the creation mandate to “rule” and “subdue”. We are to subdue chaos and establish God’s order. This is real authority, which entails a huge responsibility. A negative choice would take things back to chaos. This, of course, is what happened. Human beings rejected God and his purpose and, as a result, the world spiraled back into chaos (i.e. the flood in Genesis 7). Such is the authority that God gave us that he is committed to allowing the broad consequences of our actions to unfold. And when this happens, future generations bear these consequences. This is why the world is the way it is. It was not by God’s choice that this happened. No, it was our empowered choice that created the world we now live in. We are at odds with the natural world and each other only because we first rejected God. But there is good news. God gives us a new start in Jesus Christ. So, we can now make the choice again and bring blessing upon ourselves and our descendants. The decision to say, “Yes” to God in Christ is the most important decision you will ever make. And you can remake it every day. Have things turned to chaos? Call on Jesus to empower you again to rule and subdue.
Ask Jesus to empower you again to rule and subdue the chaos in your world.
Read Genesis 1:26-31
