THE EXCELLENCE OF CHRIST III

Bill Fitzhenry's Thoughts For Today…

Understanding important truths from the Bible….

Colossians 1:16-17 NKJV

¹⁶ For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 

¹⁷ And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

Paul’s high view of the person and work of Christ is never more evident than it is in this context.  It is well said “He was able to do what He did only because of who He was.”  Any downgrade of Jesus that makes Him less than the God-man empties His work of all value.

In the verses before us there are certain truths that are evident and represented equally by other writers.  This begins with all creation having its origin from Him.  This is stated in John 1:3 and Hebrews 1:3.

The inclusion of all creation which is identified as “that are in heaven and that are in earth visible and invisible,” leaves nothing.  Only He who created is uncreated.  In Luke there is a numberless multitude of spiritual beings.  In the Old Testament this multitude is identified at different times.

The creative act has the use of them in view as fully as their creation.  In Rev. 4:10-11 the Great God who sits supreme above all His creation is praised by the heavenly host for this creative act.  Paul recognizes in Jesus the same uniqueness of Being.

In vs. 17 this creative act is applied in a way that leaves no doubt of the eternality that is resident in Christ, “He is before all things”.  The inescapable intention of the writer is that He who has priority to all things is not a thing.  All who place Jesus Christ in the order of creation no matter how high the level remove His eternality which is our certain salvation in 1:14; no God-man, no forgiveness of sin.

There is another feature which is equally important.  Just as He is creator of all things, He is also the sustainer of all things, “in Him all things consist”.

A quick look at this word “consist” gives us an appreciation of the all-inclusive authority of Jesus.

Sunistemi – sun=with, histemi= to stand.

A simple statement that the world “holds together” or by virtue of his power and authority the whole universe “is compacted or stands together”.  Reference to W.W. Vine “consist”.

This is an exact parallel to Hebrews 1:3 “Upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the majesty on High.”

The hymnist has captured this for us to sing.

I AM NOT SKILLED TO UNDERSTAND

I am not skilled to understand
What God hath willed, what God hath planned;
I only know at His right hand
  Stands One who is my Savior.

 I take Him at His word indeed:
“Christ died for sinners“—this I read;
For in my heart I find a need
  Of Him to be my Savior!

That He should leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die,
You count it strange? So once did I
  Before I knew my Savior!

And, oh, that He fulfilled may see
The travail of His soul in me,
And with His work contented be,
  As I with my dear Savior!

 Yes, living, dying, let me bring
My strength, my solace from this spring—
That He who lives to be my King
  Once died to be my Savior!