“For by (Jesus) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him: 17. And He is before all things, by Him all things consist. 18. And He is the head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead: that in all things He might have preeminence.”
Notice that Jesus is to have preeminence (first place) in all things. This is comprehensive, isn’t it? Jesus is not just to have first place at church but in the home, at work, at school, etc. When Jesus becomes a part of our lives, He wants to take over all of our lives, not just the “religious” portion. Otherwise, we have what is called “Sunday religion.” Why are we to give Jesus first place? Colossians 1:16-18 tells us why. Jesus should have first place in our lives because of who He is. First, He is the One who created all things in heaven and in earth. People do not usually think of Jesus as the creator, but that is what Paul wrote here. He created everything from the greatest thing in the universe to the smallest atomic particle. Second, He created all things for Himself: “All things were created by Him and for Him.” Jesus is not just the Lord of our lives; He is the Lord of the whole universe. For example, Jesus created our solar system for Himself. Every star in the heavens belongs to Him. All of what we call space belongs to Him. Third, He is the One who holds it all together: “by Him all things consist.” This is a word of great comfort. If Jesus can hold the universe together, doesn’t it stand to reason that He can hold our lives together? Seeing all this, giving Jesus first place does make sense, doesn’t it? Jesus should have first place in our lives because of what He is. First, Jesus is the “head of the body, the church.” This is not a reference to the building that we worship in but a reference to us. We (all Christians) are the church. He is the head of our corporate body as “church.” The church that you are member of does not belong to the members; rather, it belongs to Jesus. Jesus told Peter in Matthew 16:18: “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.” Jesus is to have first place in all matters in our churches. Second, Jesus is "the firstborn from the dead.” This simply means that in His resurrection Jesus defeated death for us. Jesus died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Three days later He arose. All of this happened to Jesus in order for us to be “saved by grace through faith” in Him. We did not do this for ourselves. There is no such thing as a “self-made” Christian. Jesus died for our sins, rose again, and is alive at the Father’s right hand now; therefore, He should have first place in our lives. Third, to get back to where we began, all of this was done “that He might have preeminence.” He does not want to have first place for His sake. After all, He already has first place throughout the universe. Jesus wants to have first place for our sake. We need for Jesus to have first place in our lives. We will be better Christians, indeed, better human beings when we give Jesus first place in our lives. Does Jesus have first place in your life? Does Jesus have first place in your family? Does Jesus have first place in your life where you are employed, or where you are in school? Does Jesus have first place in your church? Do yourself a favor and give Jesus first place in everything. Bro. Joe
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AuthorDr. Joe Beauchamp is the author of this blog and website. Categories
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