Daily Devotion (May 3, 2025)
Colossians 1:15-18
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the first born from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
These verses of course are speaking of Jesus.
Verses 9 and 10 lets us know Paul is praying for the saints in Christ. He prays for the followers of Christ to be filled with the knowledge of Jesus’ will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. He prays that they be “strengthened with all might, according to “Christs” glorious power.
Paul emphasizes some, but not all of who Christ is in this passage.
in verse 15 Jesus is the image of God.
in verse 16 He is the Creator of all things.
In verse 17 Christ is the one who holds all things together.
Verse 18 describes Him as the head of the body, the Church, and the firstborn from the dead, emphasizing His authority and resurrection.
Back in the days of Paul there were false teachings circulating through the church. The importance of the church is to preach and teach the truth of God’s word. The church is a place of fellowship among the believers.
We need the church as a time of worship, fellowship, and studying the Word of God.
Early Christians faced persecution, especially under Roman rule, but their faith remained strong. They spread the Gospel despite opposition, and their gatherings were often secretive. The Church was also deeply missional, with apostles and disciples traveling far and wide to share the message of Christ.
In the 1st century, Christians viewed the Church as a community of believers rather than a physical building. Because they did not have a church building, they met in homes, shared meals, and supported one another spiritually and materially. The Church was seen as the body of Christ, with Jesus as its head, emphasizing unity and mutual care. The first century church did not have padded pews, air conditioning, or large choirs. The first century church had each member coming together to worship God in fellowship and the love of Jesus Christ. True worship was motivated by the love of Jesus Christ dwelling in the heart of the believer.