Supremacy of Christ

Colossians 1:15-20
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 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. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Jesus is the picture of humility no human can ever stand up to. His supremacy is so well described here by Paul and yet the person who came here to earth to live among us and die for us sounds like a shadow of the person who He really is. The only motivation for someone to go through what Christ went through for us is love and not just human, selfish, sinful love but a love that is far beyond our understanding, a love so pure and faultless that only God could feel and experience and show. Many people have asked me and I am sure I have asked God why is it that he made the world the way it is, why were we given freedom to choose and if God was God, why would he permit the pain and strife that we go through?

I am not God and therefore don’t seek to answer for him but just imagine the life of a toy. It is heartless, is built for a purpose, has value to someone who appreciates it and loses value the moment the next toy comes along and therefore to its creator it is a lifeless creation. The pursuit of every toymaker is to make a toy that works like a Pinocchio that had life in it. Look at computers and our attempt to make artificial intelligence or inventions of the first cell. God has created us and the universe around us for a larger purpose than just being toys and he wants his entire creation to praise him for what he has done and gives us the freedom to choose. The Bible reminds us that one day, every tongue, tribe and nation will bow down before him in realization of who he is and the saved will live with him for eternity. Does this God who is supreme over everything yet humble below everything in love for us deserve our all?

In His Loving Service,
ServantBoy

John 1:3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

Grace in Persecution

Acts 23:1-5
Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!” Those who were standing near Paul said, “You dare to insult God’s high priest?” Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”

What a tense many moments that must have been for Paul and his accusers. Paul’s statement of completing God’s will did not go well with Ananias who ordered he be hit on the mouth for such an utterance. Paul reacted because he knew Ananias was making a mistake of calling on judgment without a decision being made on whether he was guilty or free because Ananias, as President of the Sanhedrin, could only pronounce judgment on the accused when proven guilty. All of this changes when someone from the crowd reminds Paul that Ananias needs to be respected and Paul corrects himself. Was Paul wrong in condemning Ananias and what is the Lord speaking to us through this?

Paul was aware that there were a few among his accusers who might be open to the gospel and instead of confusing them chose to correct himself. However, we have to note that he does not apologize to Ananias but only corrects himself for speaking against those in authority as is taught in the Bible. For a man wrongfully accused, he certainly showed grace in the midst of persecution and this is not something that comes naturally to us. I am reminded today that in this life there will be trouble because we stand up with Jesus against the forces of evil and we are to always remember that we are to be lighthouses for Christ in this dark world. We are mirrors of God’s love to those who need him and our joy is to serve God with our all.

In His Loving Service,
ServantBoy

Pride No More

John 12:42-43
Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

During Jesus’ ministry, his life was constantly in danger from people who were threatened by his ministry and the fear was not that Jesus was able, was the messiah, was the Son of God or was strong but it was the fact that people started to throng after him. The Jews in authority were the ones who controlled the temple and this control gave them access to immense wealth, great respect, followings of people who would give everything up for them and a life where they were always looked up to. Suddenly Jesus came and seemed to steal their thunder. I’ve often condoned them and anyone else who tries to stand against the gospel but I now see them in a different light.

I was and am sometimes like one of these men of power. It seems like pride continues to be a stumbling block in our lives specially when we overcome difficulties and seem to be comfortable. Comfortable is an uncomfortable place for me spiritually because like those men, I tend to get complacent and judgmental and look down upon people whom I consider less privileged. I am reminded today that the ones I judge must call me brother for I have been in their shoes and I do not want to be judged by the Lord by his standards. If we were to stand before God in his perfect holiness, we would be totally destroyed for we are full of sin and filth but I praise God for he has washed me clean in his son Jesus’ blood that I now can spend eternity in heaven in God’s presence. I pray that the Lord would keep us humble and never let pride or fear of man find any room in our lives.

In His Loving Service,
Vineet

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