(REFLECTIONS ON Colossians 1:15-23)

Jesus Christ “is the image of the invisible God,” thus God has been seen, heard, and felt, through Jesus. We can then no longer say that no one has ever seen God, because those that saw Him walking the streets, those that saw Him crucified, and for sure His disciples all saw Him.

Paul doesn’t write that Jesus is in the image, but that He is the image of the invisible God. Not only that but,

“by 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.”

17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Thus, Jesus Christ is the totality of God, His plan of salvation, and His will for creation. There is nothing without Jesus Christ, and there is everything, through Him and for Him. As Paul writes,

“and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself,”

Jesus Christ brings together everything and is all in all. The question for us then is if we know this, believe in this, and live in this. Some may know, and not believe. Others may know, believe, but not live in it.

Yet, we are to know, believe, and live in the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that our lives will be brought into union with God through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit fulfilling God’s purpose of all things reconciled to Himself.

The key and challenge for us and our life of faith in Him is endurance. Endurance, knowing, believing, and living, until the end, never giving up, never straying, and if we do stray to let the Holy Spirit convict us and turn us back on the path of truth.

That is why today’s section of Scripture ends with verse 23, speaking about us being reconciled to God, being presented before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach, with a big IF,

23 If indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul was made a minister.

Yes, many want to see and know how great is our faith. Many want to see the results of such a great faith and the things we have achieved, built and accomplished. But Paul knows it isn’t about these things, but rather that we continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast.

We have entered into this holy relationship with God through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, but our greatest challenge isn’t how great our faith is, but rather if we continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Colossians 1