Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Nurturing God’s Creation
Colossians 1:15-20
 

Aleyamma Thomas
St. Peter’s MTC, Kottayam, India

18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.
 
In this world of ever-growing non-believers, it is becoming very difficult to live as a Christian. Many of us can recall encounters with people who have questioned our faith, the presence of a living God, and the credibility of the church and its’ doctrine.  C.S. Lewis, once wrote, "A man can't be always defending the truth; there must be a time to feed on it".  We often tend to neglect this point as we are constantly attacked on the truth of the Gospel.
    The Colossian church was scrutinized and attacked by false teachers. The best way possible to fight the many arguments brought forth was to exemplify who Jesus Christ really was and what He had done through His death and resurrection that no man could ever do. In this passage of Colossians, Paul wrote to the Colossian Christians as to what Jesus was capable of doing. By doing this, it allowed these Christians a greater reason to continue to worship and praise Jesus and the arguments of the false teachers ceased.
    In verse 15, Christ “is the image of the invisible God”, according to Paul. Rather than emphasizing the appearance of Christ, he is placing focus on the nature and character. Sin changed God’s intentions for man. No human being is able to reveal God in entirety.  However, God’s character and glory were shown when Jesus came into this world. Paul makes us aware that Jesus Christ was sufficient and that we did not need any addition to Christ in order for salvation as taught by the false teachers. We are able to see that Jesus Christ is the ruler of all and that the authorities in heaven and on earth are under Him. As Christians, all we have to do is to fully grip the work Jesus has done for us. We have to look to Him for support and understanding. What He has done should cause us to raise our hands and soar into worship.

PRAYER

Dear Father, may we be satisfied through You and help us to know that You are sufficient for all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 


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