Christ Preeminent in All Things

MEMORY SELECTION: “He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.” —Colossians 1:17

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Colossians 1:9-20

WE RECOGNIZE the preeminence of our Lord in all things, including all matters pertaining to our faith. Indeed, our Lord should be so enthroned in our hearts and minds that he would be preeminent even over self. This thought is in harmony with Jesus’ words (Luke 14:26), “If any man come to me, and hate not [love not less] his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”

Almighty God had no beginning—existing from everlasting to everlasting. This is shown by the psalmist (Ps. 90:1,2), “Lord [Jehovah], thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”

But our Lord Jesus—known as the “Logos” in his prehuman existence—was the beginning of the creation of God. This is expressed in Proverbs 8:22-31: “The Lord [Jehovah] possessed [created] me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world [man]. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: when he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: when he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.”

The Apostle Paul explains this matter in his letter to the Colossians. He says, “[Jesus] 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 [in him all things have been permanently placed, Diaglott].”—Col. 1:15-17

Our Savior has been given the position of preeminence and authority over the church of God. He not only purchased it with his own precious blood but he is her guide and source of strength throughout the Gospel Age. Paul says: “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. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”—vss.18-20

Verses 9 to 14 deal primarily with Paul’s prayer for the Colossian brethren. His dedication to the Lord and his people is a source of strength and blessing. He says, “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” (vs. 9) He continues by urging them to walk worthy of the calling they had received in the Lord and to grow in the fruits of the spirit and in knowledge.

He acknowledges God as the source of all blessing and the One to whom all honor is due, for it was through the Father that we have received the invitation to the heavenly inheritance. It was the Father who delivered us from the powers of darkness and brought us to a knowledge of the plan of redemption. He was the Author of the plan, and Jesus made that plan possible by becoming a man and sacrificing his perfect life as a corresponding price for Adam.

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