OVERVIEW By Doug Smith
Colossians chapter 1, focuses on Paul’s teachings regarding the deity of Jesus. The chapter includes a greeting, followed by gratitude for the faith of the Colossians. Paul includes a prayer intended to encourage growth and maturity. Jesus is not only equal to God, He is God! He not only reflects God, but He reveals God to us.
Paul explains that both the spiritual and the physical worlds were created by and are under the authority of Christ Himself. The resurrected Christ ( “ firstborn of the dead”), proves Christ as the Sustainer of the universe .Because of His death on the cross, Christ is exalted and elevated to the status that was rightfully His. All of the fullness of God is in Christ.
Christ’s death provided a way for all people to come to God (“to be reconciled”). We must remain grounded and settled in the gospel. Paul “ filled up” the afflictions of Christ through his own sufferings, as he continued to bring the message of salvation .
God gave him the assignment of revealing the “ mystery” of the gospel which hath been hid from ages and from generations. Specifically, we see the inclusion of the Gentiles as” fellow heirs” , along with the Jews.
RELATED SCRIPTURE By Charlene Brown
Related Scriptures: John 1:15-18; II Corinthians 5:17-21; Revelation 5:1-14
In John 1:15-18, we have John speaking on the supremacy of Jesus. “John bare witness of him and cried out, saying, This was he of whom I said, He who comes after me is preferred before me, for he was before me.” (vs.15).Here we see John testify that Jesus our Lord and Savior is truth and grace. He is the Word made flesh, and the one who has come to reveal God the Father to all of humanity bringing redemption and reconciliation. The scriptures emphasize the unique and amazing relationship between Jesus and the Father, acknowledging the grace that is offered through Him alone.
In II Corinthians 5:17-21 the Apostle Paul states in verse 17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” We have God to be thankful for this transformation power that is the work of Jesus Christ. God has reconciled us, His creation, to Himself, the creator, through His son Jesus Christ. For God has forgiven us of our sins and has gifted and entrusted us with the grace of reconciliation. He calls us ambassadors for Christ encouraging others to be reconciled to God.
In Revelation 5:1-4 we have the details of a vision given to the Apostle John. “And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals, Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose the seals?”(vs.1). There is great emphasis placed on finding someone who is worthy to open and reveal the contents of the scrolls. Only the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, “Jesus “ ,is identified as the only one worthy to break the seals. Jesus holds all authority and is worthy to reveal God’s divine plan.
PRACTICAL POINTS By Janice Hall
2) As members of Christ’s body, we are to look to Him for spiritual growth and guidance.
We thank God for His daily guidance, and power of His grace, so that we can hear divine instruction. We are grateful that all barriers are removed, that would try to keep us from drawing near to God. We are thankful for open hearts and clear vision so that we may follow in the straight and narrow path. “ Shew me thy ways, O LORD;Teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me:”( Psalms 25:4,5).
4) We experience assurance of Christ’s saving and preserving work in our lives as we continue in sound doctrine and living faith.
Sound doctrine launches the people of God into spiritual growth, because they are building their lives on the foundation of God’s word, rightly taught and applied. Christians are to be dependent upon truths that are taught by God’s word and received by God’s people. Sound doctrine is essential for a Christian’s discipleship and growth because what we believe determines how we live. Christians will grow in worshipping and loving God as he understands more and more about God’s character, power, and sovereign grace.
