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Daily Bible Studywith SEEDS OF THE KINGDOM

Updated: Saturday, 22 November 2008, 12:06 (GMT)

27 August 2008 | Colossians 1:15-23

Christ is exactly like God, who cannot be seen. He is the first-born Son, superior to all creation. Everything was created by him, everything in heaven and on earth, everything seen and unseen, including all forces and powers, and all rulers and authorities. All things were created by God's Son, and everything was made for him.

God's Son was before all else, and by him everything is held together. He is the head of his body, which is the church. He is the very beginning, the first to be raised from death, so that he would be above all others. God himself was pleased to live fully in his Son. And God was pleased for him to make peace by sacrificing his blood on the cross, so that all beings in heaven and on earth would be brought back to God.

You used to be far from God. Your thoughts made you his enemies, and you did evil things. But his Son became a human and died. So God made peace with you, and now he lets you stand in his presence as people who are holy and faultless and innocent.

But you must stay deeply rooted and firm in your faith. You must not give up the hope you received when you heard the good news. It was preached to everyone on earth, and I myself have become a servant of this message.

Notes

Reading between the lines, it seems the Colossians' vision of Jesus was too small - so Paul writes about the complete supremacy and utter uniqueness of Christ.

First of all, he is the image of the invisible God. Then, in relation to creation, he is over all. Everything was created by him and for him. He was before all things and everything holds together in him. Who else was ever described in such terms?

In relation to the Church, he is the head, the source of all authority and power. In relation to the resurrection, Christ is the firstborn from among the dead, the only person, so far, to be raised from the dead with a new resurrection body. No wonder Paul says that Christ has supremacy in everything!

And it is through his death on the cross and the shedding of his blood, that we can now be reconciled to God. Enemies have become friends reunited!

All that is required of us to maintain this relationship is to continue steadfastly in our faith - faith in the supreme, unique and dynamic Christ.

As you look at your life, do you see any areas where it doesn't feel like Christ has supremacy? Perhaps there are things, relationships or situations that distract you away from him. Maybe problems and anxieties have got in the way and hindered you from following him confidently.

Now is a good time to get things back in order.

Prayer

Ask God to throw away your preconceptions of who Jesus is, and then let God expand your mind to wonder at the one who is Christ.

Today's Writer

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