Christ Above All Things

Confused about God? In a conundrum about who Jesus is? The New Testament letter to the Colossians will set the record straight in your mind—and in your heart—like few other books in the Bible. Paul dispatched this weighty gem of teaching and loving encouragement into the hands of Epaphras, the first pastor to serve the Colossian church. The city of Colosse sat as one of the coastal fortresses guarding Roman trade routes in Europe from enemy invaders advancing from the East. Knowing the Colossians were battling the false teaching of Gnosticism—teaching that promoted mysticism over truth—Paul confronted that heresy as he penned these now immortal words, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (v. 27).

Christianity is Jesus Christ, plain and simple. And Paul showed in this stirring letter that “in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (2:9). You receive all you need in Jesus Christ.

Paul greeted the Colossian congregation by introducing himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ who wrote according to the “will of God” and commending them for their faithfulness to the ministry and their love for all God’s people. He called them “saints and faithful brethren,” meaning God had called them to be holy and righteous before Him. In addition, Paul made certain to bless them in his customary fashion: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 2).

Paul so wanted his friends in the Colossian church to be encouraged in their faith that he wrote out a prayer, which he prayed continually so they could read it aloud over and over again:

For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. -vv. 9-12

How’s that for a heartfelt prayer?

Paul loved these people—and he couldn’t stop once he started … his prayer turned to praise as he longed for his friends at Colosse to grow deeper in their knowledge of God in Christ. Wouldn’t it be a great encouragement to know your pastor prayed for you with passion and determination? God wants you to know His Son like the Colossians did. But Colossians is no mere postcard from Rome. So, get ready for a serious study of Jesus—He’s so much more than a good teacher and humble prophet of old. As Creator, Redeemer, Savior, and Lord, He wants to lead your life and bring you to new levels of His power and love.

In the next lesson, we will learn more about the exalted Jesus and how He’s the visible display of the invisible God.