Colossians Chapter 1:15-17 NIV
"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Jesus Christ is undoubtedly the most powerful name in all creation. His name alone carries the authority to cast out demons and to regrow lost limbs. Through his name sickness and disease is repelled. Through his name we can find peace. His name is so powerful it is even thoughtlessly used to express immeasurable frustration or disbelief. Believers and non-believers use the name of Jesus to express greatness.
Colossians chapter 1 expresses Paul's thankfulness to the church in Colossea of everything they have done through their faith. The Joy they express, the faith they hold onto and the love they show. He expresses his thankfulness of their spreading of the gospel.
Paul encourages the church to stay the course not to give any wayward thoughts to what may tempt us. Strive to live a life worthy of the Lord , bearing good fruit (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control Galatians 5:22-23) and growing in understanding. When you do this you will be strengthened with ALL power ACCORDING TO HIS glorious might to have great endurance and patience. Thanking God for having found you worthy. Through Jesus we have been saved from a life of darkness and found redemption from sin.
Jesus is the image of the invisible God.
Jesus is the firstborn of all creation.
All things (in Heaven, earth, visible and invisible) were created in Him.
He is he head of the church.
He is the firstborn of the dead. (Through the resurrection He was the first to die and rise again.) Through his resurrections partnered with our salvation we have power.
Because God was pleased with Jesus through His resurrection the creation was reconciled. We could be found worthy of that reconciliation with Him. Through Jesus we can walk with God again, Talk with God again. When we're living in sin, that sin becomes a blockade to hearing God's voice. When you're living in a sinful lifestyle the voice of God becomes stifled and difficult to hear. When we turn to Jesus for help, that blockade is broken down and we can have complete access to God through Jesus. The reconciliation isn't talking about an afterlife. It says we can find the reconciliation in Creation.
Jesus is the Force that will connect all creation to God. Through Jesus we have access to the Holy Spirit. Through Jesus alone can we get that God connection.
This in turn means if someone is not in Jesus, they will not know the voice of God. They cannot sense the movement of the Spirit. The "Force" of God is foreign to them.
Jesus is the Force of redemption, strength, power, hope and the church. He is the source that makes us a true force against the powers of darkness in this world.
"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven..." Colossians 1: 21-23
In love and hope,
Josh & Jen