Colossians 1:18

This week, we are exploring the different arguments that Paul gives against Gnostic teachings concerning the identity and position of Jesus. We have discovered that Jesus is supreme in eternity and supreme over creation. Today, we will consider that Jesus reigns supreme over the church.

And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. Colossians 1:18 NIV

I have heard others say, “I love Jesus but not the church.” This seems to be paradoxical to the scriptural teaching that Jesus is the head of the church, the body of believers. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we, the church, are one body in Jesus and under His leadership and direction.

Paul says that Jesus is the rightful head of the church because He is “the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead.” This doesn’t mean that Jesus is the first to experience resurrection, but rather, as with verse 15, Jesus is the most important of all who have been raised because without His resurrection, there is no resurrection for others.

Believing that the incarnation is not some random act from a desperate God, but rather an intentionally executed plan to bring salvation to the world, we can see that Christ crucified and Christ glorified was part of God’s plan so that Christ would have supremacy over all things, including over our lives.

Questions to consider…
Consider your church today. Are you able to confidently say that Christ is the head of your church and that your church is following His leading and direction?
What about for your own heart? Is Christ the Lord of your heart? In what ways do you yield to His leadership and guidance?
Ask God today to help you surrender your life to the Lordship of Christ.