| Jesus Christ - The Head of the Church Short Commentary on Colossians 1:13-18 |
Colossians 1:13-18 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness,
and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have
redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image
of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him 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: And he is before all things, and by 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 might have the
preeminence.
Three relationships of the blessed Son of God are alluded to in this
complete passage:
• First, His relationship in the Godhead--
He is the "image of the invisible God."
• Second, His relationship to creation--
He is "the Firstborn of all creation," its Head.
• Third, His relationship to the Church--
He is the "Head of the Body, the Church... The Firstborn from among the
dead."
It is obvious that the word "firstborn" as used by the Spirit here does not mean
the first in order, but the first in position. Our Lord was not the first person to
be raised out of the grave. Old Testament incidents will come to mind
immediately, as well as of the three whom He Himself raised. But He is the
Firstborn from among the dead in the sense that He is victor over death and
the grave and is the Firstfruits of a new creation, by Whom God shall
bring many sons into eternal glory.
Christ is the Head of all creation. But creation was marred when Adam sinned,
and if there was to be any hope, creation must be redeemed and issue forth
into a new creation. So the Redeemer descended from the glory of Heaven to
the sin-cursed earth. He, the perfect, sinless Son, the Head of all creation, was
rejected of men, who said in effect: "This is the Heir; come let us kill Him,
that the inheritance may be ours." He was nailed to the cruel cross. He died,
the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. But having been
delivered for our offenses, He was raised again for our justification, and in this
resurrection He became the Firstborn from among the dead. Thus in all things
He has the pre-eminence-- specifically, in eternity, in creation, and in
redemption.
Since in Christ all fullness is pleased to dwell, since it is the will of God that
in all things He might have the pre-eminence (and He has), there evolves a
personal question:
"Does He hold the pre-eminent place in our lives?"
It is written that He is the Head of all things, the Head of His Body-- which is
the Church. But is He pre-eminent in the sphere of your living? Or does some
person, or some other thing, hold His prerogative? Is self enthroned, or is
Christ enthroned in your heart? The pre-eminent place belongs to the One
Who is pre-eminent in revelation, creation, redemption and consummation.
As we lay hold of Him and on His glory, we shall walk worthy of His Name,
Who is our All and in all.
Taken from Our Hope Magazine, August 1944.
©2008 Cobblestone Road Ministries
All Rights Reserved
----------------------------------------------------
Further Reading:
Eternal Security Of Believers
The Preeminence of the Lord Jesus
In Him - The Fulness of God
In Him - The Treasures Of Wisdom and Knowledge
Honour and Glory Unto Him by ACG
Believers "Made In" Christ Jesus
"Much More" - Bible Word Study
Assurance of Salvation By J. Vernon McGee
The Resurrection Of Jesus Christ
and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have
redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image
of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him 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: And he is before all things, and by 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 might have the
preeminence.
Three relationships of the blessed Son of God are alluded to in this
complete passage:
• First, His relationship in the Godhead--
He is the "image of the invisible God."
• Second, His relationship to creation--
He is "the Firstborn of all creation," its Head.
• Third, His relationship to the Church--
He is the "Head of the Body, the Church... The Firstborn from among the
dead."
It is obvious that the word "firstborn" as used by the Spirit here does not mean
the first in order, but the first in position. Our Lord was not the first person to
be raised out of the grave. Old Testament incidents will come to mind
immediately, as well as of the three whom He Himself raised. But He is the
Firstborn from among the dead in the sense that He is victor over death and
the grave and is the Firstfruits of a new creation, by Whom God shall
bring many sons into eternal glory.
Christ is the Head of all creation. But creation was marred when Adam sinned,
and if there was to be any hope, creation must be redeemed and issue forth
into a new creation. So the Redeemer descended from the glory of Heaven to
the sin-cursed earth. He, the perfect, sinless Son, the Head of all creation, was
rejected of men, who said in effect: "This is the Heir; come let us kill Him,
that the inheritance may be ours." He was nailed to the cruel cross. He died,
the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. But having been
delivered for our offenses, He was raised again for our justification, and in this
resurrection He became the Firstborn from among the dead. Thus in all things
He has the pre-eminence-- specifically, in eternity, in creation, and in
redemption.
Since in Christ all fullness is pleased to dwell, since it is the will of God that
in all things He might have the pre-eminence (and He has), there evolves a
personal question:
"Does He hold the pre-eminent place in our lives?"
It is written that He is the Head of all things, the Head of His Body-- which is
the Church. But is He pre-eminent in the sphere of your living? Or does some
person, or some other thing, hold His prerogative? Is self enthroned, or is
Christ enthroned in your heart? The pre-eminent place belongs to the One
Who is pre-eminent in revelation, creation, redemption and consummation.
As we lay hold of Him and on His glory, we shall walk worthy of His Name,
Who is our All and in all.
Taken from Our Hope Magazine, August 1944.
©2008 Cobblestone Road Ministries
All Rights Reserved
----------------------------------------------------
Further Reading:
Eternal Security Of Believers
The Preeminence of the Lord Jesus
In Him - The Fulness of God
In Him - The Treasures Of Wisdom and Knowledge
Honour and Glory Unto Him by ACG
Believers "Made In" Christ Jesus
"Much More" - Bible Word Study
Assurance of Salvation By J. Vernon McGee
The Resurrection Of Jesus Christ
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