Christ Pre-Eminent

The apostle Paul had an amazing ministry. He taught the truth, opened up the Gentile world to the gospel, planted churches throughout Asia Minor, defended the faith before all and sundry, persevered through persecution, dealt with conflict, warned God’s people about the lies of the devil, and laboured to the point of exhaustion. He endured a shipwreck, beatings, public humiliation, assassination attempts, prison, deprivation, afflictions, and ridicule in order to preach the message of Christ and the cross.

How did Paul do what he did? Why was he so successful? Because Christ was pre-eminent in his ministry. Paul’s ministry, while it involved him, wasn’t ultimately about him. Paul did what he did because he served Christ (1:23). He was successful in ministry because Christ was in him, the hope of glory (1:27), and because he depended fully on the “mighty power” God gave him (1:29).

Paul’s life is a testimony to the fact that when Christ is pre-eminent, the Saviour we serve will always be bigger than the challenges we encounter. Are you facing hardships and difficulties in your ministry? Take your lead from Paul. Keep on struggling (2:1), continue to encourage others (2:2a), work to help people to truly know Christ (2:2b), don’t be fooled by fine-sounding arguments that are contrary to what you know of Christ (2:4), and live as you should by keeping your faith firmly in Christ (2:5).

Respond in Prayer

Lord, help me to work hard and use the mighty power you give me. And help me to do everything I do in a way that reveals Christ’s pre-eminence in my life. Amen.

Lawson Murray

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®).