SUNDAY March 6, 2022

The Preeminence of Christ

And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 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.
Colossians 1:17-18

When read in context, Paul had written one of the most beautiful, eloquent poems of praise in the Greek language in all the New Testament, concerning Christ’s preeminence. He is first place over all created things. These verses celebrate His sovereignty over all creation and His preeminence over all powers––angelic powers in heaven and earth as Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth.

What powerful Scriptures! The Colossians became very confused about creation because of the Gnostics who did not believe Jesus was God. False doctrines always attack the preeminence of Christ. Jesus is God! Who created God? Nobody! He has always been, and He will always be. This is a very important doctrine of Christianity. Christians must know their theology because error is best defeated by standing in the truth of God’s Word.

Paul educated Christians as if they were in seminary. He gave them the precise, doctrinal terms of who Christ is and who Christ should be in their own personal lives. Jesus was not a prophet or one of many prophets. Christ is the Son of the Living God! He is God incarnate in the flesh––100% man and 100% God.

Paul declared how Christ accomplished our salvation. He came out of eternity to die on the Cross and, by the shedding of His blood, we now have forgiveness of sin. After Jesus was buried for three days, He resurrected from the dead. He now sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven. He has promised in His Word to come back to receive us to Himself. This is the incredible story of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Paul did not begin by attacking the false teachers and their doctrines. He began by exalting Jesus Christ and showing His preeminence in five areas: the gospel message, redemption, creation, the church, and Paul’s own ministry.
~Warren W. Wiersbe~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!