Christ, Our All in All

The apostle Paul wrote the book of Colossians. It carries an enormously significant message that speaks to believers at all times and in all places. Paul strongly warns the Colossians about false teaching that emphasizes human philosophy and teachings that diminishes Christ. The key theme of this book is Jesus Christ is Lord of all. Paul’s emphasis is “In Christ” we are united in Christ, complete in Christ, dead and risen with Christ, and hidden with Christ. He wrote this letter to help them stay on course.

The book of Colossians helps all who are tempted to take their focus off Jesus. Paul’s letter to the Colossians is his greatest declaration that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, the very image of God, the preexistent sustainer of all things and the reconciler of all things:

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation…He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” Colossians 1:15, 17-18.

Gnosticism is a false teaching that “superior knowledge” is required. It attacks the adequacy and deity of Jesus Christ in a subtle and alluring matter. Like most false teachings, false teachers slither into a person’s life in a subtle manner. They don’t attack Jesus out right; they simply include Him as one option among many. We need to be careful who we listen to. We need to know what we believe and in whom we believe:

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10.

Legalism is a false teaching that “superior behavior” is required. The Colossians believers were in danger of turning their focus from Christ alone to keeping legalistic regulations and religious ceremonies. This human philosophy threatened to disconnect believers from the Head, Jesus Christ. Paul declared that Christ, and Christ alone, deserved center stage in their lives, and in ours.

We can learn four lessons from studying the book of Colossians: First, Jesus Christ is first, not among many, but supreme. He is Lord of all. There is nothing above or equal to Him.

Second, the infiltration of heresy is subtle, not bold and offensive. There is a powerful pull toward false teachings that add some human element to the pure gospel of Christ. We must be well-grounded in the foundations of the faith in order to resist.

Third, the way we live our lives is important. The way we treat other people is relevant. The way we handle success and failure speaks volume. People are watching how we live and how we are at work. The world is watching us and so is God. Ultimately we will answer to our Maker. Our diligence underscores and reveals the substance of what we believe.

Forth, people are eternal souls made in the image of God, not anonymous faces. You never become so important that people become unimportant. We were created to be in relationship and it is necessary to remind ourselves of the way God calls us to relate to one another. We must be careful to not become so preoccupied with all the programs and all the plans and all the projects that people become a second thought. Our lives are a call to serve. We serve our Lord Jesus Christ and we serve our brothers and sisters whom He has placed in our lives.  

Reading the book of Colossians provides a whole new perspective on the way you think about Jesus Christ. From time to time, we need a fresh vision of Jesus. Colossians is a letter committed to heightening the impact of the person and power of Jesus Christ. He is the One who dominates this letter to the Colossians. He is Lord, He is our life, He is our love; He is our everything. Christ and Christ alone!