Colossians 1:9-18 expresses the preeminence of Jesus Christ, and our required response to Him. There is much to be found in the text, and we can examine it line by line. Remember, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (15).
We must seek to “be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (9). As Christ is the “head of the body” (18), His will is our mandate. We can’t know how to act without diligently applying ourself in study of His word (cf. 2 Timothy 2:15).
Our study of God’s word is what enables us to “walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (10). A worthy walk is an industrious walk. We learn what it is we are to do, then we seek to be zealous and fruitful in accomplishing His will. Jesus said in John 15:2, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” If this concept teaches us nothing else, it teaches us that Christ is not pleased with a do nothing Christian. The common expression of faith in our culture is a far cry from the sacrificial duty revealed in the New Testament. Paul wrote that we are God’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
Paul prayed that the Colossians would be “strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power” (11). Living for Christ sometimes seems difficult, though He promised us, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). The main reason that our burden in Christ is bearable is that our strength is derived from Him, rather than ourselves. Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). The devil holds no sway over God’s people. “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
Jesus enables us with His power. Some might not understand what is meant by this. It is not a reference to miraculous power or physical might. Rather, His power helps us with things like “patience, and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light” (12). Paul clearly showed that the individual who adds to his character the fruit of the Spirit is able to then resist the lusts of the flesh (cf. Galatians 5:16-26). Those who have love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control as part of their character — are partakers of the inheritance God has promised through His Son.
We have this inheritance because God has, “delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14). This is the realization of God’s scheme of redeeming man, fashioned from before the foundation of the world (cf. Ephesians 1:3-14). Christ’s sacrifice was effective. It brought forgiveness from God, and our deliverance from sin. Now, because of what He did, those who believe in Him are brought out of Satan’s dominion into Christ’s kingdom.
Who is this preeminent Jesus? “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (15). This doesn’t mean that Jesus was the first created thing, but that he is the originator of God’s creation. “He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:2-3). Paul concurs with John’s thoughts. “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him” (16).
We would that every soul recognized Christ’s position in all things. Men are very myopic, unable to see beyond their own struggles for power and recognition. If we understand that all things were created through and for Him, the question of whether we should or must serve Him is easily answered.
So, “He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (17). Though the world seldom acknowledges the preeminence of Jesus Christ, their denials do not change this truth. In the day of judgment, “we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God” (Romans 14:10-11).
This leaves our final thought. “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence” (18). Though the world denies His preeminence, His church glories in it. We love that our Lord equips us with His word. We rejoice in our servitude, saying with Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
We rejoice that the most powerful and central Being in existence is our Lord and Savior. Praise be to God!
