OCT 18

Colossians 1:18
Memorise Colossians 1:18
“…that in all things he might have the preeminence…”

Colossians 1:18 continues declaring the divinity of Christ: “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.” Christ is the head of the universal church, and that is why we Presbyterian churches believe that Christ is the head of our churches, and the presbytery (pastors and elders) are only under-shepherds of the flock. Here, Christ is called the beginning because He began the church. This does not refer to Christ being at the beginning of creation as that was already mentioned in prior verses. Christ is also the beginning in the sense of being the first to be resurrected, never to die again. His death and subsequent resurrection enables our own resurrection to immortality, for just like Him, we shall also be given a glorious body (Philippians 3:21), that collectively we may be His spotless Bride. So we who are part of His body the universal church must give Him the preeminence, just as God has given Him the preeminence over all things. He must be first, for He is first. 

This statement, that Christ being the head and the one who began the church, clearly refutes the Roman Catholics belief that Peter began the church and that every pope subsequently holds the status of head of the universal church. What a terrible thing it is to place a man – the created in pre-eminence over the Christ – the Creator! Yet, you and I must also look at ourselves as well to see if we are tempted to give ourselves or our fellow Christians the preeminence instead of what is due to Christ. In all things, be it in our personal lives or in our churches, Christ must always hold the position of primacy. When a local church begins, even though Christ used certain godly men to do His will, we must confess that it is Christ who began the church and give Him the glory. In the same way, when we see a need for a ministry, let us start by praying that Christ may send labourers to this harvest field, rather than start with human wisdom and carry out surveys and feasibility studies. When you and I see a need still being unfulfilled, pray even more that Christ may start this ministry if it is His will, rather than criticise our leaders for not realising the need or doing something about it, as if ministry relies solely on human effort and not on Christ. Trust Him that if it is His will, He will move godly men to fulfill it, in His time.

Thought: He must be first, for He is first.
Prayer: May I give Christ preeminence in everything.