Colossians 1:15-20 English Standard Version

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶ For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. ¹⁹ For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

The difference between eminence and preeminence is the condition of fact. For eminence to be preeminence it has to be a fact, not a vision, belief nor faith. Preeminence can only be establish in fact by God who created all that exists just for His Son.

It is one thing to create and give it away, but to create all things not only with the love of the Son in mind but to share creation so that His vision of creation is a vital part of His creation.

Paul’s letter to the Colossians was written long before John’s gospel. In this we might consider how John laid out his gospel in view of what he considered important. John begins his gospel with this very important fact, the preeminence of Christ.

John 1:1-3 English Standard Version

¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John went one step further than Paul in his declaration of this fact, Christ is the Word.

1 Peter 1:13 English Standard Version (ESV) Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

How seriously do we take the grace that we have received? Do we think that this gift of life in Christ has ceased to extend grace above and beyond what we have already received?

We look forward to the abounding grace which awaits us at the coming of our Lord. It is right to believe that He is more than we could ever imagine and that all things will be revealed upon His second coming.

Yet grace is not something that comes, is used and we wait for the end to come to receive the rest. It is a constant gift that is no longer unwarranted because He abides in us. Grace is not withheld in any amount because He is that gift than never stops giving.

John 1:16 English Standard Version (ESV) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

We have all received of His fullness yet we are a part, one of many, being just a part of the body of Christ. What part of Christ is not Christ? Just as each cell in us carries our DNA code, His grace abides in every part of us. Grace upon grace.

Isaiah 33:2 English Standard Version (ESV) O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.

He is our strength in times of trouble, when we need His grace renewed in us.

Psalm 9:9 English Standard Version (ESV) The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

His Word is His bond.