‘that in all things He may have the preeminence’ Colossians chapter 1 verse 18
Suggested reading: Colossians chapter 1 verses 9-19
In a previous meditation we noted the importance in using the correct terminology when speaking of Jesus Christ, otherwise we lapse into false teaching concerning His Person and work. This happened in the city of Colossae in the 1st century and Paul had to write a letter to the Christians there to warn them of the errors being introduced by the false teachers. The main thrust of his message was to remind them that Christ is PRE-EMINENT (unique / surpassing all others).
Let us meditate on the areas that Paul focused upon to highlight Christ’s PRE-EMINENCE:
CHRIST IS PRE-EMINENT IN THE AFFECTIONS OF HIS FATHER
- If we appreciated how much He means to the Father, we would never want to remove Him from the place of pre-eminence!
- Paul refers to Him as ‘the Son of His (the Father’s) love’. Colossians chapter 1 verse 13
- ‘For it pleased THE FATHER that in Him all the fulness (the sum total of all the Divine power and attributes) should dwell (permanently and eternally)’, Colossians chapter 1 verse 19.
CHRIST IS PRE-EMINENT IN THE GODHEAD
- ‘He is the image (the exact stamp / impression) of the invisible God’, Colossians chapter 1 verse 15 – He is the visible representation of the invisible God.
- ‘For in Him dwells (permanently) ALL the fulness of the Godhead bodily (both when He was on earth & also NOW in heaven)’, Colossians chapter 2 verse 9
- Put simply, every quality and characteristic that belongs to God, belongs to Him – HE IS GOD!
CHRIST IS PRE-EMINENT IN RELATION TO OURSELVES
Colossians chapter 1 emphasises to us some GREAT truths that underline His supremacy – He has:
- delivered us from the power of darkness, verse 13
- translated us – carried us over the border, verse 13
- redeemed us (released us on payment of a ransom), verse 14
- forgiven us, verse 14 – we can never be enslaved by sin & Satan’s power again!
To be continued