We have been created ‘through Him and for Him’
Paul continued to challenge the Colossians about who Jesus really was – “For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1: 16)
The apostle John clearly taught that Jesus was divine – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, the life was the Light of men. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.” (John 1: 1-5)
Paul wrote to the Romans about his concern for his brethren the Jews and stated about Jesus – “For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belong the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.” (Romans 9: 3-5)
Paul, in his epistle to Titus wrote about Jesus – “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all lawlessness, and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good works.” (Titus 2: 11-14)
The Colossian believers had begun to be influenced by lying teachers who taught what eventually would become known as Gnosticism. It taught that Jesus was only one of many emanations who had descended from God, but was less than God. They also taught that a secret ‘higher’ knowledge above Scripture was required for both salvation and enlightenment. These teachings also included legalistic requirements such as circumcision, dietary laws, Sabbath observance and the worship of angels and mystical experiences. (MacArthur, 1597) They taught that Jesus was a spirit created by God, but inferior to Him.
The writer of Hebrews spoke clearly about the deity of Jesus – “God, having spoken long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoke to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds, who is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power; who, having accomplished cleansing for sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels did He ever say, ‘You are My Son today I have begotten You’? And again, ‘I will be a Father to Him and He shall be a Son to Me’? And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, ‘And let all the angels of God worship Him.’ And of the angels He says, ‘Who makes His angels winds, and His ministers flaming fire.’ But of the Son He says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your companions.’ And, ‘You, Lord, in the beginning founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands; they will perish, but You remain; and they will all wear out like a garment, and like a mantle You will roll them up; like a garment they will also be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end.’ But to which of the angels Has He ever said, ‘Sit at My right hand until I put your enemies as a footstool for Your feet’? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1: 1-14)
From what are you developing your theology? Are you listening to lying teachers who tell you things that may sound ‘right’, but are just ideas and philosophies that are from man and not from God? The Bible clearly explains to us who God is and what He has done for us. Everything we hear and are taught should be held up to it. Are you on a firm foundation? With all the lies that are part of our present world today, will you consider what the Bible teaches? Jesus came veiled in flesh to pay the price for our sins. He was crucified and rose again. He is alive today. He is God. He can be trusted and His word can be trusted. Please consider who He is and what He has done for you!
REFERENCES:
Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Zondervan, 2000.
The McArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition. 2020. Thomas Nelson.
