Christ is All
Christ is All
Paul says, "In Christ dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" (Col 2:9). As we think about the fullness of Christ's divinity, we must infer his absolute sovereignty. The two things (divinity and sovereignty) are inseparable. Thus Paul, in the next sentence, says that Christ "is the head of all principality and power." (Col 2:10). All rulers of every realm are subject to Christ.
We have already, in connection with Christ as Creator, discussed to some extent Christ’s sovereignty over all rulers and dominions. In this lesson we look into it further. We consider three realms, each quite distinct and different to the other. Christ is the King in the greatest of these realms. As to the other two realms, their rulers are much inferior to him and will, with absolute certainty, be made subject to him who is mightier than all.
There is a "power of darkness" (Col 1:13). This power, rule, or authority has been ursurped. It is an authority that was never given authority. Its king is a king crowned by spirits who rebelled against the authority of God and opposed themselves to the Light.
That is the great weakness of this power. I speak relatively of course. One power can be weaker than another, and the power of darkness, although frighteningly strong, will never overcome the power of Christ. His is "glorious power" (Col 1:11). The power of darkness, since it is in darkness, has no glory.
Christ has shown his sovereignty over the power of darkness because he is able to offer sure redemption from it to all human beings. They can be "made partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light... delivered out of the power of darkness and conveyed into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son, in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Col 1:12-14). Christ has the victory.
Paul says that all thrones and dominions and principalities and powers were created by Christ whether spiritual or earthly (Col 1:16). Now this does not mean that Christ inaugurated and set up all kingdoms. If it did, we would have the peculiarity that Christ set up the power of darkness and enthroned Satan in authority over it! Paul means that anyone who ascends to power, wherever their throne may be, owes their existence to Christ their creator. They, however mighty, are absolutely answerable to him.
Christ is not responsible for all that kings and authorities do, but they are most certainly responsible to him. Kings have claimed “divine right” to reign. No, when Paul teaches that Christ created thrones and dominions, Paul does not assign “divine right” to any king but Jesus. Paul's words should remind kings that they are creatures of Christ and are as subject to him as any other creature.
Christ is "head of the body, the church" He is its "firstborn" and its throne is his birthright. His place in the church is "first place" (Col 1:18). This is why, at the beginning of his letter, Paul calls Jesus "Lord" (Col 1:2-3). It is our magnificent privilege to be chosen for citizenship in this kingdom of God's dear Son (Col 1:13, 3:12).
Series outline