ÒChrist is all.Ó

Colossians 3:11

 

No one understands Holy Scripture who does not know the meaning of these three words — ÒChrist is all.Ó In all the eternal purposes of God, ÒChrist is allÓ (Romans 8:29-20; Ephesians 1:3; 2 Timothy 1:9). In all the Volume of Inspiration, ÒChrist is allÓ (Luke 24:27, 44-47; John 1:45). In all the works of God, ÒChrist is all.Ó In creation (John 1:1-3), in providence (Romans 8:28), in redemption, grace and salvation (1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 1:3-14), even in judgment (Acts 17:31), ÒChrist is all.Ó In an absolute, unlimited, universal sense, ÒChrist is all!Ó

 

However, in the context in which this statement is found (Colossians 3) Paul is talking about the new creation, the church and kingdom of God. He is telling us that among GodÕs elect, in the hearts and lives of GodÕs saints, in the estimation of all true faith, ÒChrist is all

 

ÒChrist is allÓ in the salvation of GodÕs elect. Our election in eternity was in Christ. God chose us in him as our covenant Head. In the matter of our redemption, ÒChrist is all.Ó He alone is our Redeemer. He bore our sin. He paid our debt. He satisfied the justice of God for us. And he did it all by himself. ÒChrist is allÓ in our justification, too. We stand accepted and acquitted before God only by his righteousness and shed blood. His name is Òthe Lord our RighteousnessÓ. The quarrel between God and our souls was taken up by Christ and settled by Christ. And ÒChrist is allÓ in sanctification. We are positionally sanctified in Christ. We are kept in sanctification by the power of Christ. We shall be perfectly sanctified by the glorification of our bodies and souls with Christ. Salvation, from start to finish, is the work of Christ.

 

ÒChrist is allÓ in what we call practical Christianity. Christ alone gives me comfort and hope before God. Christ alone gives me strength for every trial and grace to persevere in the faith. Christ is all to be known, all to be chosen, all to be loved, all to be desired, all to be delighted in, all to be thought upon, all to be followed and all to be obeyed. We need no law but Christ and the example he has left for us to follow. Does any believer need a higher, more compelling motive for anything than Christ himself?

 

ÒChrist is allÓ to be preached. The Bible in its entirety is a Book about Jesus Christ. No doctrine and no precept can be rightly understood apart from Christ. Christ is the key that unlocks the treasure chest of Holy Scripture. ÒHe is the treasure in that field, the marrow in that bone, the manna in that dew, the diamond in that ring, the milk in that breast (John 5:39).Ó (Philip Henry)

 

ÒChrist is allÓ in heaven. The foundation of that city is Christ. The gate to that city is Christ. The light of that city is Christ. The joy, bliss and happiness of heaven is Christ. The praises of the redeemed in heaven, for all eternity, are the praises of Christ. The reward of GodÕs saints in heaven is Christ himself.

 

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

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