The Supremacy of Christ

Study: The Colossians Epistle

Text For Next Sunday: Colossians 1:24-26
Text For This Morning: Colossians 1:19-23

Introduction

Why is the supremacy of Jesus Christ so important? Because grasping the supremacy of Christ: 1) fortifies one against heresy (i.e., the direct context of Colossians 1) and 2) stirs a genuine love for Christ (i.e., indirect application). Kent Hughes puts it better: "Seeing Christ as He is will keep us from heresy, for it will steel (fortify) us against a scaled-down Christ which has captured so many lost hearts. And it will cause us to begin to love Him with a real love."

1. The Prerequisite For Reconciliation (v. 19)

Before Paul displays the supremacy of Jesus Christ in reconciliation, he first proclaims the unique qualification (i.e., the prerequisite) of Christ to do so.

In short, Christ was able and qualified to effect reconciliation of a fallen universe to God because in Him (Christ) all the fullness of deity dwelled. Contrary to the Colossian Heresy which taught a "fullness" (i.e., pleroma) spread out over thousands of emanations (lesser-gods), all the totality of God's divine power and attributes, absolutely and wholly, permanently reside in Christ. As such, Christ was, and is, God. Which, in contrast to sinful man, qualifies Him to effect reconciliation.

2. The Act of Reconciliation (v. 20(a))

Now that Paul has demonstrated Christ's unique qualification to effect reconciliation, Paul now proclaims that God was sovereignly pleased, "...by Him to reconcile "all things" to Himself, whether things on earth or things in Heaven."

What is reconciliation? In answering this question, we distinguished if from the following terms which are often thrown around, but not always understood:

Redemption- That act between Christ and man whereby Christ purchases (redeems) sinful man from the slave market of sin.

Propitiation- That act between God and Christ whereby God poured out His wrath on Christ; thus satisfying God's wrath on our sin.

Justification- That act between God and man whereby God forensically declares a sinful man to be righteous.

Forgiveness- The sinner stands before God with infinite indebtedness due to man's sin. But through the redemptive work of Christ, God sends away the sin to never be seen again, in which case the debt is forgiven.

Adoption- The sinner stands before God as a stranger, but is made to be His son. The sinner was previously outside of God's family, but has now been adopted into it.

Reconciliation- The sinner stands before God as an enemy, but through the work of Christ, becomes God's friend. A relationship of enmity has been "exchanged" for a relationship of peace and friendship.

The Greek used here in verse 20 (and 21) is an intensified form. So not only does Christ reconcile, He does so thoroughly, completely and totally.

What need to be reconciled to God? Answer: "All things." I am certain as to what this verse does NOT teach (i.e., it does not teach universalism). But what does it mean? Here I have struggled a bit! My understanding: In the universe, there are: 1) the uncreated (i.e., the Godhead) and 2) the created (i.e., everything else including created heavenly beings). In Genesis 1:31, God declared His "creation" to be "very good." But then man fell into sin. The result: not only was man cursed, but so too God's entire "creation" (see Genesis 3:17-18 and Romans 8:19-22). As such, God's relationship with His entire "creation" was cursed; and disharmony ensued.

But through Christ, God's relationship with His creation will be reconciled (i.e., harmony restored). Not just all created things on earth (including certain humans), but even those created beings in Heaven. Further, regarding unbelievers (who will be judged to Hell for eternity), they too will be restored to a proper relationship with God in the sense that they too will acknowledge God as their Supreme Authority, submit to Him, subject themselves unto Him, even confessing with their tongues that He is Lord and bowing the knee before Him (albeit involuntarily). As such, chaos and rebellion will be "exchanged" for order and submission. Again, not 100% comfortable with my understanding. If you have a better one, please feel free to post it on QOG!!

3. The Method of Reconciliation (vv. 20(b) and 21(b)-22(a))

God's method of reconciling a fallen universe, especially sinful men, to Himself was (and is) the violent death of Jesus Christ. Nothing else would have appeased God's wrath, holiness and righteousness. See 1 Peter 1:18-19; Hebrews 13:11-12 and 2 Corinthians 5:18-21.

4. The Need for Reconciliation (v. 21(a))

By the phrase, "And you..." we here see a shift from God's "general" reconciliation of His universe to the "specific" reconciliation of individuals (i.e., His elect, here the Colossian believers). Why did man need to be reconciled? Because of man's miserable, wretched and sinful spiritual condition. Specifically, man without Christ is:

Alienated- Continually estranged from God. Cut off. Separated.

Enemies in Mind- Not only is man positionally alienated from God, but this is manifested in one's mind (i.e., an internal attitude). The Greek refers to "hostility" and "hatefulness." Unregenerate man is not only hostile against God, but even hates Him. See also Romans 5:10.

Wicked Works- Man is positionally alienated from God, hostile in his mind against God, all of which is externally manifested through wicked works. In short, man in his natural state not only hates God, but loves his sin. See John 3:19-20.

5. The Purpose of Reconciliation (v. 22(b))

Despite man's inherent alienation, enmity and wicked works, God's purpose in reconciliation is to present His elect as holy, blameless and above reproach. Simply mind-numbing...............

Holy- Regarding man's relationship with God, this means: 1) man is separated from his sin and 2) set apart unto God. See Ephesians 1:4.

Blameless- Without blemish. The Septuagint uses this Greek word to speak of the sacrificial animals in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, it is used to speak of Christ as the spotless lamb of God. See Hebrews 9:14 and 1 Peter 1:19).

Above Reproach- No legitimate charge can be charged against God's elect. Not even by Satan (the great accuser) himself. See Romans 8:33.

Application- In light of the reconciling work of Christ, that dreadful price He paid on our behalf, we ought to be naturally driven to, and consumed with, practical holiness (i.e., obedience).

6. The Proof of Reconciliation (v. 23)

First, this verse does not teach that a true believer can totally, and finally, fall from the faith. Instead, the Greek construction supports a translation of, "At any rate if you stand firm in the faith, and I am sure you will..." Or as another translated it, "Assuming that you continue in the faith..."

Paul is not expressing doubt. Instead, continuance in the gospel (as preached by Paul) would show that the person was indeed truly saved and thus, would be presented holy, blameless and above reproach.

It is not the "retention" of salvation that is in Paul's mind, but the "possession" of salvation that would be proven by continuance in the gospel.

In short, when one is truly saved, they will persevere by continuing in the faith........ as opposed to embracing heresy when it comes along.