Before All Things

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions of principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 

Colossians 1:16-17 

Before all we see and know came into existence Christ was. He is, from eternity, the essential, eternal Son of God. In due course of time He took to Himself a true body and a reasonable soul, however, that was not His beginning. Philippians puts it this way, ‘who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.’ Therefore when we deal with Christ we are dealing with God in human form. This is important to our understanding of a host of other things. If we would gain understanding of our origins, we must look to Christ. If we would learn how it is that principalities and powers have their moment in the sun, we must look to Christ. If we want to have knowledge of things both visible and invisible we must look to Christ. Christ is the key to all these things because He is before all things. It may seem we are somehow overemphasizing Him yet if we view such a text as we have before us we rapidly come to the conclusion that it is impossible to make too much of Christ. He has been, is, and shall continue to be the most important single individual whom we ever have or ever shall encounter. From everlasting He is before all things.  

Our Lord and Savior,  
we rejoice that You are the Image of the invisible God. 
We praise You that You are from eternity. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning