Colossians 1:15-19 "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Him,"
Paul's goal in chapter 1 is to prove the preeminence of our Lord! He wants his readers to know and understand that Jesus has superiority over everything in existence. The word preeminence actually means to be first in rank or influence so in essence Paul was stating that Jesus Christ is Lord of All. False teachers will not deny the importance of Jesus Christ and as a matter fact, they will give Him prominence in their beliefs but they will undoubtedly not give Him preeminence. And it is this false claim that Paul is trying to dispute. He wants to make sure that the Believers in Colossae were not being misled and hoodwinked into accepting this false teaching as their own. If we do not know the Truth of God's Word then we run the risk of being misled also and it's an alarming scenario.
So why is this so important? Paul goes on to explain in vs. 15 that Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God. If you want to know God, his character, his attributes, his values, purposes and desires then you need to take a long look at Jesus as He is revealed in Scripture. He came as God in the flesh to the world so that they might come to know their God. He also is the Creator of the universe. The God of Genesis is Jesus Christ. When Paul writes that "by Him all things were created" (Colossians 1:16) that really leaves nothing out. Everything related to the earth, the starry skies, the vast oceans, the solar system, every human being, all animals, insects, birds, etc. were products of his creation. Everything was created by Him, through Him and for Him. In light of all this, Jesus is more than preeminent, He is the highest ranking supreme head of absolutely everyone and everything and if that isn't enough, He continues to sustain everything. If it weren't for Jesus holding everything together then everything we know of in the universe would disintegrate and there would be mass confusion and chaos everywhere we turn.
His preeminence warms my soul until I think about the indifference I see regarding Jesus in our modern society. Truth is staring people in the face and is at the tip of their fingertips yet they use His name as a cuss word, a detested word, and a word used in frustration or anger. People avoid His name, rebuke Him and throw it in people's faces when they are trying to make a point. It is numbing to think that the most beautiful, the most powerful, the most loving, the most gentle, the most forgiving, the most truthful person in the universe could be treated with so much contempt and hatred.
My friends, the very fact that He is preeminent to all confirms the reasoning that we are to worship Him at all times not just for an hour 1 day a week when it's convenient. We should be living our lives in total dependence and trust in the One we call Savior and King. He is ALL, has created ALL, knows ALL, is in control of ALL and sustains ALL of what we know of this world and we have been commissioned to re-present Him. It is unfathomable to me that He would even want us to be used in this manor. We are so unworthy . . .
Take a moment some time today and look in the mirror and ask yourself, “Do I acknowledge Christ’s preeminence? Do I give Him first place in ALL I do, ALL I say, and ALL I think? Is His character what people see when they look at me? Is there any doubt in the way I use my time, my money, and my talents that Jesus is the source and center of it all?
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Personalize this prayer.
Dear Lord,
Preeminence. This word gives me so much to think about. I truly believe that You are my "ALL IN ALL" and I hope that my life displays that at every turn. If You find this not to be true in some areas please bring those things to my attention. I pray that my speech will reflect all of who You are and that my actions would personify Your character. Help me to respond in love and with gentleness when Your name is used inappropriately. I know that all of creation is at enmity with You and I realize that the only thing that can bring any change is through Your blood. Lord, use me however you desire to draw people so that I can point them to You in hopes of getting their attention hopefully.. I'm so grateful for all that You've done for me and I long to share Your love with all who will listen.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
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