"WHAT HE DESERVES" (An Article by Christian Henry) ~ 1/8/26

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:15-17)

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to Christians living in the small city of Colossae around A.D. 62 while imprisoned in Rome (Acts 27-28). The church at Colossae was likely established during Paul’s third missionary journey, when he ministered in Ephesus for three years. It appears that Paul did not personally plant the church there; instead, a Colossian named Epaphras traveled to Ephesus, responded to Paul’s gospel message, and returned to share the good news in Colossae.

A dangerous teaching was threatening the Colossian church at the time of writing, one that lessened Christ’s role and undermined the new identity of believers in Christ. Paul wrote to warn against this false teaching and to encourage the believers in their growth toward Christian maturity. He emphasizes Christ’s authority over all evil powers. Christians are united with the risen Christ, and therefore they share in His power and authority. He alone is Lord over all creation and has redeemed His people, enabling them to participate in the salvation He has provided. Paul also encourages these believers to fight against sin and live a distinctively Christian life.

In the verses we are considering today, we will see how we are to offer praise to Christ properly. Jesus Christ is preeminent over all creation, Lord over all human rulers and cosmic powers. He thus deserves to be worshipped accordingly.

We are to worship Him because He is the image of the invisible God, not just in deity, superiority, or Spirit (even though all are true in fullness). The Father is called "God," but this doesn’t exclude the Son or Spirit, who are, with Him, the one God. Honestly, the concept of three things being one thing yet still distinct doesn’t really make much sense to our limited human brains, but it’s just one of those realities we must accept. No man has seen the Father corporeally, but in His works of creation, providence, grace, and more so in and through Christ - we all have.

In the Old Testament, God the Father never took on a form; only the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of His Son. He is said to be God’s express image, being the natural, essential, and eternal image of His Father in perfection and completion. Many sons resemble their dads in a physical sense, but Jesus doesn’t just resemble God; He shares every characteristic with His Father. He is so much more than a mere shadow or representation, or likeness. The phrase “express image” conveys an idea of sameness of nature and perfection. While still distinct from the Father, the Son is in no way inferior, as the following verses clearly show, since all that the Father has is His. The Son most gloriously displays the love, grace, mercy, holiness, righteousness, truth, faithfulness, power, and wisdom of God the Father above all others.

Christ has the right to rule and be worshiped over all creatures, because He is the Creator of them. This is not to the exclusion of the Father and Spirit, who were jointly involved in the creation of all things out of nothing. Instead, everything that is or has been made is created by Him. He is no creature, otherwise He would’ve created Himself, but can only be God, since He that made and built all things is God.

Paul adds that Jesus also existed before everything, echoing His words in John 8:58: “Before Abraham was, I am.” He holds it all together in Unity, providing for and sustaining all things. He not only created them all at first, but it is by the word of His power that they are upheld.

Basically, Christ (who is God) is the greatest thing ever. In power, in provision, in word, and especially in creation (as is Paul’s focus here), He is number one. The question Paul is too polite to write is: “WHAT ARE YOU FOOLS DOING??” The church at Colosse had all the teachings and the writings, so why on earth would they try to lessen Christ’s role? These people know the truth, and they still choose to disregard it. Modern Christians are often too quick to forget the truth of the Gospel. What’s worse is that those who have access to sound teaching and God’s Word choose to ignore them. We, as well as Colossian Christians, know the service, dedication, seriousness, and praise our Lord deserves. Let’s give it to Him in this new year and beyond!