"He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions 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."
Colossians 1:15-17

This week we look at the exalted Christ in Colossians 1:15-23. I encourage you to look these verses up in your Bible and study them. My devotionals are meant to lead you into your Bible. You need to look up the verses each week and read entire chapters to go from an appetizer to a full course meal from the Bread of Life. We cannot live off of appetizers alone. We need more than milk, we need the meat of the Word to become mature disciples of Christ. Take your time as you slowly read through the description Paul gives us of who Christ Jesus is.

He has represented to us the image of the invisible God that none had seen till Christ came to earth. Jesus was the first thing God created according to His Word. He then reveals all things, both in heaven and on earth were created by Jesus Christ, visible and invisible. Let that sink in. He continues, thrones or dominions, or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him, and for Him. We were created for Christ our Lord. He will always be before all things throughout eternity. Nothing can change any of these truths. And in Him all things hold together.

I believe this with all my heart as I know who holds me together physically. With my lifestyle this has been evident throughout my life, especially as I am constantly pushing an aging body to extremes. He holds me together emotionally, and spiritually, and may I assure you He will you too. Let’s continue with verse 18-20:

"He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven."

He is the head of the true church. That means we can only move as the head tells us too. How would our physical bodies function if the eyes did as they pleased, and the legs, feet and arms moved in all directions at once? Our bodies are controlled by our head. The church must recognize Christ as the head of the church. More importantly, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and we must learn to allow Christ to have control over our bodies and lives for the corporate church to be controlled by Christ, the Head.

Jesus was the first to rise from the dead with a resurrected body, which made it possible for all who would believe, and because of that He will come to have first place in everything. Who else deserves first place in our lives other than Christ, our Lord and Savior? Does He have first place in your life and mine? It was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him in order to reconcile all things and people to Himself who is the Holy of Holies. It was made possible by Jesus’s willingness to become the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. No matter how evil you have become there is hope, because you cannot become more evil than He is good. Yes, He deserves to have first place in our hearts in order we may become more like Him. It is our only hope.

We will conclude with verses 21-23:

And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach — if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not move away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister."

We all have been there as sinners. We all need to be reconciled to God through Jesus. There are no exceptions. We were born into sin. That is why God the Father made a way through His Son. His Son now is and will forever be the greatest power in existence, and that power is love. A love we do not understand, we do not possess, and we cannot produce apart from Him.

What amazing hope we all have as we read Jesus will present us before His Father holy and blameless, beyond reproach… IF… indeed we continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not move away from the hope of the gospel that we have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven. And we have all been made ministers to proclaim the good news, the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost, and dying world. Exalt the name of Jesus to all and give them hope!
In His love.

Teresa Roberts

Masterpiece Fitness

www.masterpiecefitness.com

276-237-6680

These photos were taken on an evening run with a client near my home. A peaceful lighting revealed a simple beauty all around.