“And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”

Astronomers tell us that there are billions of stars in space. These stars are immense and move at incredible rates of speed with mathematical precision, yet Jesus Christ personally governs each one of them. Christ as the Preserver of the universe is the fifth description of Jesus Christ.

“and in Him all things consist”

Not only do all things come into being by him, but he holds them together; he sustains the universe (Heb. 1:3). The Lord Jesus Christ manages every atom of the universe; thus, he controls the cosmos in such a way that he keeps it from chaos and confusion. The word “consist” means to hold together, to stand together. The Greek tense carries the idea that they were held together at one point in the past and remain held together (perfect tense). Since the universe came together at creation, Jesus Christ maintains all its atoms in their traffic pattern.

The universe has order because Jesus Christ is managing it out of his omnipotence (limitless power). In one sense, scientific laws do not exist. They are not laws of science because science has no way of enforcing them in the global sense. Scientists may formulate a scientific law, but they cannot control these laws. We may legislate a law, but it is of little good if we cannot enforce it. Since science cannot guarantee that laws of so-called science will continue, they are not laws of science but laws outside of science. Science bases laws on statistical assumptions that the universe which operates according to fixed norms will continue to do so. Science cannot guarantee this.

The Bible declares that the universe will not always exist (2 Peter 3:10-12; Rev. 20:11). Known scientific laws depend entirely upon the omnipotence and immutability of God the Son. Every scientific textbook (objective science) is a testimony to the trustworthiness of Jesus Christ to care for the universe.

Principle:

Jesus Christ personally sustains the universe; therefore, he can govern any problem we face.

Application:

God maintains everything he manufactures. If Jesus Christ can manage the whirling constellations, he can take care of our little family and us.

The Holy Spirit takes the confused Colossian believers and shows them the magnitude and glory of the person of Christ. He is far more than the carpenter of Nazareth! We need to take our eyes off ourselves and take a good look at the greatness of Jesus Christ. Christians today are confused by many aberrant teachings. When we go to the true person of Christ, our ears will not itch for strange doctrines (2 Tim. 4:2-4).

Why does Jesus Christ hold the universe together? He does so to bring many sons to glory,

“For it was fitting for Him for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings” (Heb. 2:10).

Jesus sustains the universe for as long as necessary to allow his grace to run its full course. Scientific laws define the faithfulness of Jesus Christ in time. He will only sustain this universe so long as his purpose is not fulfilled.

The philosopher can find the principle of coherence in Jesus Christ if he would allow God to show him. He brings a unity that will unite all diversity into one undivided purpose. The scientific age breaks us down into a conglomeration of parts. Science does not accept a unified purpose for creation.

Without a unified purpose for creation, people will live in disintegration and without ultimate meaning. We are divided not only by nations but also between people and within our persons. We need wholeness and cohesiveness.

A painting is made of little strokes, but the symmetry makes a beautiful painting when organized into harmony. Jesus Christ can give a person wholeness because he not only sustains the universe, but he can put the individual parts together.

Do you worry about whether your job will be there next year? Do you worry about your health? Are you exercised about some relationship? Nothing can happen to us without Jesus Christ initialing it. He okays everything that happens to us. Our Lord has not taken his hand off the steering wheel of the universe.