Friday, 9 July 2021
“He is the image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation.” -Col.1:15
This epistle to the Colossians was written from the Roman prison by Apostle Paul to combat errors in the church and to present Christ as the God-incarnate and the only way to forgiveness and acceptance with GOD the Father. The key verse referred above is one of the most profound statements in the Bible highlighting the divinity of Jesus.
People in various religions have a different view of Jesus. Some believe him as a prophet, few others are of the opinion that He is one among many other gods. Another set of people believe him as the Son of God but not God. But only true Christians have the faith that Christ is the express image of God the Father as revealed in the holy Bible. Only a vital union with Christ through faith can anyone have eternal life and when we continue in that relationship we will enjoy the power and provision for a victorious living in this dark world which is under the sway of the wicked one (1 John 5:19)
Let’s look into the key verse carefully. Jesus Christ is the exact representation of God. John 1:18 tells us He revealed God to mankind. The phrase, “first born” does not mean ‘created being’ as some think; but that He was before all creation in time and that He is over all creation in authority.* The pre-eminence of Christ is stressed here. In John 10: 30 Jesus himself revealed His oneness with God: “I and the Father are one” and His glory was the glory of the only begotten of the Father (John 1:14). He is also the sustainer and in Him the entire universe is held together and protected without disintegration. In Revelation 22:13 we read Christ’s proclamation: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
Jesus did not consider His equality with God but took the very form of a servant (Philippians 2:6, 7) and came down to earth to save you and me. He did not give up His deity to become human but He set aside the right to his glory and power in taking the human form for our redemption. He came from heaven and not from the dust of the earth and He is the Lord of all. He is completely holy and has the authority to judge the world.
Recognizing Jesus as God implies that the relationship we have with Him should be the most vital one and His interests should be our top priority. Verse 6 speaks of the Gospel that they received and bore fruit. The received gospel or the Word is not meant for information but for our transformation. It may be days, months or years that you have being receiving or received the gospel – the message of Jesus the Savior and His perfect plan for your life. Did it bring any change in the way you live?— In your action, thought pattern, speech, behaviour, your attitude and actions towards others?? Is the Gospel reaching others through your life?
The author of the book of Hebrews gives us a warning: “For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.”(Hebrews 6:7-8). May the message of the gospel transform you that it blesses you and others through you!
To think on:
What have you done with Christ and His message?
Listen: 'I have decided to follow Jesus'
*https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dcc/colossians-1.html