For the past two years I have been studying, reflecting and meditating on the supremacy of Christ, especially as found in Colossians 1:15-20. This passage has found a special place in my heart as I have spent the time to deeply ponder the significance of Christ's supremacy. This morning, my church moved into a beautiful new facility after 5 years of planning and preparation. Our pastor reminded us of the importance of making sure the main thing remains the main thing, i.e. that Jesus is more important than beautiful new church buildings and our wants, likes, and dislikes. He took us to this passage in Colossians to remind us that it is ALL about Him!
The key takeaway from Colossians 1:15-20 is that ALL things were created by, through, in, and for Christ. That pretty much sums it up...Christ, and Christ alone is supreme. And yes, the universe does not revolve around us. Why is it so difficult as Christians to get this through our head and implanted in our heart? How different would our lives be and the world would be if Christians started living with Christ supreme in our lives?
As an engineer by degree and being highly left brain (logical minded) I like to do root cause analysis when looking at a problem and trying to find the most effective solution. When I look at the human condition of the average Christian, I see a huge gap between how we are supposed to be living in the image of Christ and how differently many of us actually live. In the U.S. we find the divorce rate in Christian marriages mimicking that of secular marriages...about 50% fail. Why is that? I think the sum total of it can be found in our Colossians passage. Instead of husbands loving their wives sacrificially as Christ loved the church (see also Eph. 5:25) and putting Christ supreme in our marriage, instead all too many Christian husbands put their own needs first. This same scenario appears across all aspects of life with similar selfish and self-focused agendas instead of living in every area of life with Christ at the center and supreme and putting the needs of others before our own.
I believe we can encourage one another towards right living if we will ask each other the right question: How are you living in any particular situation in light of Colossians 1:15-20? Are you living with YOU as the center, or Christ? Are you putting Christ first; or your desires first? Are your actions being done in reflection that ALL things were created by, for, in, and through Christ? Is Christ supreme in every situation?
Will you and I commit to living with Christ supreme this day, tomorrow, and every day? If not, why not? If so, how much richer will your life be, and the lives you touch be, in response.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, may it be!
That's today's thoughts about life and ministry …from the Director's Chair
David Austin is the Executive Director of the global Internet ministry bible.org. He is passionate about those who don't know Jesus Christ as savior and volunteering to make a difference. This blog is dedicated to keeping the bible.org community informed about matters of ministry and life from his vantage point of the "Director's Chair".
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