Colossians 2:5 (KJV) For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
Let’s take a look at how Bible dictionaries define this word “order.”
-order [Strong’s 5010, taxis] - regular arrangement, i.e. (in time) fixed succession (of rank or character), official dignity. [Thayer] - due or right order; orderly condition.
Ordinary dictionaries define the word “order” as a condition in which each thing is properly disposed with reference to other things and to its purpose; methodical or harmonious arrangement (dictionary.com).
I’d like to look at ordering our lives in several areas. First, there is to be order in our personal lives as believers, a manner of conducting ourselves, so that maximum place is given to the workings of the Lord. We need to order our time, managing it so that its rhythms are conducive to spiritual well-being and usefulness. We need to guard our time so that, as much as possible, its orderly rhythm is not interrupted by time-wasters. We are not to let entertainments and other vanities steal our time, but we are to be available for the Lord’s summons, to watch and pray, even during hours when we normally would sleep or conduct business or do something else. We cannot gad about, venturing into activities that are not what the Lord has pinpointed and curated for us. Good things may not be God-things, so we must be attentive to the Lord to see how He is leading us. Do you sense the urgency of the times we are in? Let us focus on what the Lord is calling us to do.
1 Peter 4:7 (NIV) The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.
With the Lord’s summons to serve Him in prayer or some other assignment, there may be opposition, but there will also be peace and rest. We won’t have the fearful conviction of wrongdoing as when we drift from the proper ordering of our lives. Help us, Lord to “walk circumspectly (Strong’s 199-exactly, accurately, diligently), not as fools, but as wise“ (Ephesians 5:15).
We also need order in our church relationships. May we walk in the place where we’ve been assigned, in proper rank, fulfilling the responsibilities of our positions. We ought to be faithful with these. We are not to shirk these responsibilities or let other things, even good things, keep us from these tasks. Neither should we overstep the bounds of God‘s positioning and walk in things beyond His appointment for us.
1 Corinthians 14:40 says, regarding the assembling of the believers, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”
The word decently is Strong’s 2156. It means “decorously; in a seemly manner.”
We should also have proper order in other relationships – those we fellowship with. We are, for example, to “withdraw ourselves from every brother that walks disorderly…,” that is, irregularly (morally); out of rank; irregular, inordinate, immoderate.
Perhaps you do what I have done: I have spent much time on things that don’t really matter while neglecting duty and eternal matters. I haven’t made the best use of my time. Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 3:7: …for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you.”
Paul and those with him walked orderly, making the best use of time, attending to eternal things, and keeping to their positions in the body of Christ. So should we.