WHO IS CHRIST
SYSTEMATIC STUDY 32
WHO IS CHRIST
(PART ONE) INTRODUCTION : COLOSSIANS 1:9-19, PROVERBS 8:22-31
Many believers’ today are not growing or bringing forth fruits that show the knowledge and fullness of the life of Christ in them. As a result, they are easily tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine and deceived by any false prophet or teachers (Eph. 4:11-14).
Paul knows that a saint without true knowledge of God’s will is a prey to false teachers. That is why his primary prayers for new converts and Churches were for them to increase in know-ledge (i.e. revelation of God’s word), wisdom (i.e. application of God’s word) and understanding (i.e. right decision making or judgment) (Eph. 1:15-18, Phil. 1:9-11, Col. 1:9-11).
As was common to many Churches Paul and his colleagues planted, the Colossian Church was also trouble by Jewish heretic converts, traditional pagan believers, false teachers etc. who undermined the power and saving grace of Christ. For many Jewish scholars who were believers, accepting Christ as Savior is not sufficient. They felt one must continue with the ceremonial rituals, ordinances & traditions of the elders. While, some gentile believers still felt it necessary to combine Christ with traditions. This is why Paul had to write to open the eyes of the Colossian brethren to know “Who Christ really is” (Col. 2:8-10).
We shall consider two (2) points.
P.1 GIVE THANKS TO THE FATHER:
One major prayer Paul prayed for the Church of Colosse is to give thanks to God for their salvation. The blood Christ shed on the cross has redeemed & delivered believers from the grips of the power of darkness. We are now partakers of the inheritance in heaven and earth that God has originally reserved for the saints and our sins are forgiven (Col. 1:12-14).We have become heirs of God and joint heir with Christ. We are among the royal priests, who are chosen, holy and peculiar (1 Pet. 2:9-10). Do you sincerely thank God for this salvation?
P.2 WHO IS CHRIST?
When one lacks the true knowledge of who Christ is, he is band to be deceived by men’s own philosophy, ideas and traditional believes about Christ. As a result, many saints have adopted errors and practiced heresies; some of which are taught in some schools of theology. Paul affirmed that true knowledge and wisdom of God can be gotten by revelation or encounter with the originator of wisdom and knowledge himself: This being is Christ (Col. 2:3).
Christ is God completely manifested in the flesh. This is why He is called the image of the invisible God (Col. 1:15). He existed before all things and by Him were they created, both seen and unseen creations in heaven & earth. This is why He is called the first born of all creatures. And because God created all things for Himself and Christ is God, Paul, through in-depth understanding affirmed that all things were created for Christ (Col. 1:15-16).
Christ is the Lord of creation. He is before all things and by Him all things were purposely created the way they are (Col. 1:17). So, no matter how ugly life treats you, you are not a mistake. Christ is the head of the Church. He controls all what the body (i.e. the Church) does. When we forget this, men becomes lord over the Church; inspiration to run the Church will now come from current trends of life, and errors will infiltrate true worship and preaching (Eph. 4:15; 5:23).
Christ is the first and only begotten son of God to be borne by human, who died and resurrected, having the fullness of God in the flesh. So He is the firstborn from the dead. He is the first in all things. Therefore, He is preeminent over all things (Col. 1:18-19). If we truly know Him, we’ll not put anything in life before or above Him. Everything happens at His command.
