QT 19/09/2025 Fri. Colossians 1:18–23 Christ Above All 基督超乎万有

QT 19/09/2025 Fri. Colossians 1:18–23 Christ Above All
READ http://www.esv.org/col1:18-23

🔥 Scripture: Colossians 1:18–23 (ESV)

[18] And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. [19] For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, [20] and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

[21] And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, [22] he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, [23] if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. (ESV)

🕊️ Christ Is Supreme

Paul doesn’t hold back in this passage. He lifts our eyes to the risen Christ—the head of the Church, the firstborn from the dead, and the dwelling place of all God’s fullness. In a world that constantly tries to minimise Jesus or make Him just one option among many, Paul declares: Jesus is above everything. Not just in the Church. Not just in creation. Not just in history. But in everything, everywhere, for all time.

Jesus is not just important—He is pre-eminent. He doesn't just give peace—He is our peace (v. 20).

🩸 Peace Through the Cross

Verse 20 tells us the stunning truth: peace was made “by the blood of His cross.” That peace wasn’t cheap. It cost Jesus everything. He didn’t reconcile the world through mere words or good teachings—but through His sacrifice, through His own blood.

And this peace isn’t just for the world in general—it’s for us personally. “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds…” (v. 21)

That was our condition—separated, hostile, sinful. But through His death, Jesus brought us near. He reconciled us (v. 22). That means the war is over. The distance is closed. The wrath is removed. We are now called “holy, blameless, and above reproach” before God. Not because of what we’ve done, but because of what Jesus has done.

🙌 The Call to Stay Steadfast

There’s a “if” in verse 23 we can’t ignore:

“If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel…”

This isn’t about earning our salvation. It’s about remaining faithful to what has saved us. The evidence of a truly reconciled heart is a steadfast faith—rooted in Jesus, clinging to the hope of the Gospel.

In a world that pulls us in every direction, Paul calls us to stand firm, not shifting from the truth, not moving from the hope that has brought us life.

✝️ Takeaway

Jesus is not a part of our life—He is our life. He’s not one among many—He is above all. He died for us, rose again, and reigns supreme. And He calls us to a life of holy perseverance. Let’s live in light of His preeminence, rooted in the Gospel, and never shifting from the hope that saves.

🙏 Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus, who is above all things, the head of the Church, the reconciler of our souls, the one in whom all the fullness of God dwells. Thank You for making peace through Jesus’ work on the cross. Help me to stand firm in faith, never shifting from the hope of Your Gospel. Be pre-eminent in my heart, my life, and my witness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

QT 19/09/2025 星期五. 歌罗西书 1:18–23 基督超乎万有
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/col/1/

🔥 经文：歌罗西书 1:18–23

18他是身体的头，这身体就是教会。他是元始，是死人中首先复生的，好让他在凡事上居首位； 19 因为　神乐意使所有的丰盛都住在爱子里面，20 并且借着他在十字架上所流的血成就了和平，使万有，无论是地上天上的，都借着他与　神和好了。21 虽然你们从前也是和　神隔绝，心思上与他为敌，行为邪恶，22 但现今　神在爱子的肉身上，借着他的死，使你们与　神和好了，为了要把你们这些圣洁、无瑕疵、无可指摘的人，呈献在他面前。23 只是你们要常存信心，根基稳固，不受动摇偏离福音的盼望。这福音你们听过了，也传给了天下万民；我保罗也作了这福音的仆役。

🕊️ 基督至高无上

保罗在此处毫不保留地宣告：他使我们仰望复活的基督——教会之首、从死里复活的长子、神丰盛一切的居所。在这个不断试图贬低耶稣、将祂视为众多选择之一的世界里，保罗宣告：耶稣超越万有。不仅在教会中，不仅在创造里，不仅在历史中，而是在万有之上、遍及万方、贯穿永恒。

耶稣不仅重要——祂是至高无上的。祂不仅赐下平安——祂就是我们的平安（第20节）。

🩸 十字架的和平

第20节向我们揭示了惊人的真理：和平是“借着他在十字架上所流的血”成就的。这份和平来之不易，耶稣为此付出了全部代价。祂并非仅凭言语或美善的教导使世界与神和好——而是通过祂的牺牲，通过祂自己的宝血。

这份平安不仅属于世人，更属于我们每个人。“虽然你们从前也是和　神隔绝，心思上与他为敌，行为邪恶”（第21节）

这曾是我们的处境——隔绝、敌对、充满罪愆。但借着祂的死，耶稣使我们亲近神。祂使我们与神和好（第22节）。这意味着战争已然终结。隔阂已消弭，忿怒已撤除。如今我们在上帝面前被称为“圣洁、无瑕疵、无可指摘”。并非因我们所行，乃因耶稣所成就。

🙌 坚守的呼召

第23节有个不容忽视的“只是”：“只是你们要常存信心，根基稳固，不受动摇偏离福音的盼望。……”

这并非关乎靠行为得救，而是要持守那拯救我们的真道。真正与神和好的心，必以坚定不移的信心为凭据——这信心扎根于耶稣，紧握福音的盼望。

在这纷扰世界中，保罗呼召我们站立得稳，不偏离真理，不背弃那赐予我们生命的盼望。

✝️ 核心要义

耶稣并非生命的一部分——祂就是我们的生命。祂不是众多存在之一——祂高居万有之上。祂为我们舍命，复活升天，掌权至高。祂召我们活出圣洁坚忍的生命。愿我们以祂的至高权柄为光，扎根于福音，永不偏离那拯救我们的盼望。

🙏 祷告

亲爱的天父，感谢祢差遣耶稣——万有之首、教会元首、使我们的生命与神和好，万有丰盛都住在祂里面。感谢祢借耶稣十字架的工作成就和平。求祢帮助我持定信心，永不偏离福音的盼望。愿祢在我心中、生命中、见证中居首位。奉耶稣的名求。阿们。