Wherein Is The Lord Jesus Christ Pre-Eminent? Col. 1:18

The Lord Jesus Christ has the pre-eminence in all things by the purpose and arrangement of God the Father. In the immediate context of Colossians 1:18 (vv. 14-22) the Holy Spirit shows us eight areas in which Christ is pre-eminent. 1. Christ is pre-eminent in the salvation of God’s elect (v. 14). Be sure you do not miss the fact that the Holy Spirit here declares redemption and the forgiveness of sins to be tantamount to the same thing. All who were redeemed by the blood of Christ have, by that same blood, been forgiven of all their sins. This is a clear declaration of particular and effectual redemption. 2. Christ is the pre-eminent Revelation of the invisible God. In verse 15 he is called “the image of the invisible God.” He is the embodiment of God (Col. 2:9). If we would know God we must know Christ. There is no other way for men to know God but by Christ (John 14:6). Look at verse 15 again. 3. Christ is pre-eminent in the creation. Our Lord is not here called a creature of God, but “the firstborn of every creature.” He is the One from whom, through whom, by whom, and for whom every creature exists. He is “the beginning of the creation of God.” Christ is the firstborn of every creature also in the sense that he is the pre-eminent, praiseworthy one, for whose honor all creation exist. And he is himself the Creator of all things. 4. Our Lord Jesus Christ is pre-eminent in providence (vv. 16-17). He upholds all things. He rules all things. He disposes of all things. He shall have the praise of all things. 5. Christ is pre-eminent in and over the church of God (v. 18). In the church and kingdom of God, Jesus Christ is everything. He is the Foundation, Head, King, Law-giver, Example, Bridegroom, Builder, Strength, Preserver and Keeper, Peace and Unity, Message, and the Glory of his church. 6. The Lord Jesus Christ is pre-eminent in the resurrection. He is called “the firstborn from the dead” (v. 18). His resurrection is the proof of our justification (Rom. 4:25). He was the first to rise from the dead to die no more. He is he only one raised by his own power. His resurrection is the pledge, promise, and pattern of ours. If he is the first, that means others are to follow! 7. Christ is pre-eminent in his mediatorial possessions. "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell" (Col. 1:19). All the fullness of the eternal Godhead is in Christ (Col. 2:9). All the fullness of grace is in Christ (John 1:16; Eph. 1:3-6; Col. 2:10). Indeed, all the fullness of the very glory of God is in Christ (John 13:31-32; 14:13; 17:4; 1 Pet. 4:11). 8. Christ is pre-eminent in the work of reconciliation (vv. 20-22). He has reconciled the offended God and us, his offending people, by the blood of his cross. He has reconciled us to God by effectually applying to our hearts the blood of his cross. And the day is coming when he will reconcile all things unto himself. Everything that is, has been, or shall hereafter be shall give praise to him! In a word, wherever we look, in heaven or in earth, in time or in eternity, among men or in the immensity of the infinite God, even in hell itself, Christ has pre-eminence in all things!

Don Fortner