In Him All Things Hold Together

The cost-of-living crisis, rampant inflation, fuel shortages, brownouts, unpredictable weather patterns, fake news and the latest crazy headline all make for a bleak future.  Until we remember Jesus ...

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For in him all things were created ... all things have been created through him and for him ... and in him all things hold together.  (Colossians 1:15-17 NIV)

When we struggle to make sense of whatever is going on around us, we have Jesus to anchor us, setting our hearts at rest and opening up hope once more.

Jesus is “the exact living image ... the visible representation of the invisible God," (Colossians 1:15 AMP) or as Jesus explained it to Philip, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9 NIV).  Instead of us being unsure of what God wants, we have Jesus, our Lord, our Saviour, our Healer, our Wisdom, our Peace, our Shepherd ... our Everything ... showing us the true and full extent of the Father’s love.

Then, on top of all of that truth, we see Jesus, through whom everything came into being, in charge and sustaining everything by the Word of His Power (Hebrews 1:3).  In fact, He is holding it together (Colossians 1:17).

Paul is actively praying for the churches to see, understand and live in the good of this revelation.

This revelation is why we can rejoice and let our gentleness be evident to all (Philippians 4:4-5).  Seeing Jesus and knowing the Father, we can let gentleness take over, prayer becoming our answer to the needs we see as we allow peace to rule over and in our hearts (v5-7).  The result is that we are able to confess, “My God will meet all your[my] needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” (v19)

This revelation enables us to have great endurance and patience because we understand the inheritance we share in with Christ.  An inheritance He has qualified us for (Colossians 1:11-13).  An inheritance previously hidden but now revealed in us and through us.  Christ in us the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

So, we continue to be built up in Him, strengthened in our faith and overflowing with thanksgiving (Colossians 2:7) because of Jesus.  In Him ALL the fullness of the deity dwells in bodily form and in Christ we have been brought to fullness (Colossians 2:9-10).

Our water baptism locks the reality of the death, burial and resurrection with Christ into our hearts.  We died and our life is now hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).  Security, confidence and boldness all come from that revelation, causing us to rest and allow the peace of Christ to rule our hearts (Colossians 4:15).

Seeing Jesus glorified ... our worship and prayer flowing out of that revelation ... He really is holding everything together and working out His plan.