The Identity Of Jesus Christ and Your Prayer Life: Colossians 1:9-20
“12) giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. 13) For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14) in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15) And He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16) For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17) And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18) He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19) For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20) and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” Colossians‬ ‭1:12-20‬ ‭
Ok, let’s tie Colossians 1:9-20 together. So Who is Jesus Christ? Is He adequate to the task? Let’s look at Paul’s list in this text. The following fourteen points all come from this context in Colossians chapter one. Welcome to Christology 101!
*He is Ruler of the Kingdom of light. *He is the Redeemer of Mankind. *He is Our Basses of Forgiveness. *He is the Very Image of God. *He Pre-existed Creation. *He is the Creator of all Things. *He is the Possessor of all Things. *He is Pre-eminent above all Things. *He is the Sustainer of all things. *He is the Highest Ecclesiastical Authority. *He is the Beginning and the End. *He is the First Born from the Dead. *He is the Fulness of God. *He is Humanities Reconciliation to God.
When I survey this list, it reminds me that I am very small. But it also reminds me that Jesus Christ is incomprehensibly immense. He is God. He is the Almighty. (See Isaiah 9:6) It reminds me of His love and that He is for me and not against me.
Keep in mind, Paul penned these words right after his prayer recorded in Colossians 1:9-12. May I observe that your present prayer life is a reflection of your true view of Jesus Christ. If you have a big view of yourself but a small view of Jesus Christ, you will have a dismal prayer life. Please understand this… Prayer is not wishful thinking or a mere mental exercise of positivity.
Prayer is making petition to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! Prayer is entering into the very throne room of God. Prayer is asking the Creator, Sustainer and Possessor of the universe to intervene in our circumstances and to use us for His purpose in the world.
Prayer is an acknowledgement of Gods Sovereignty, Pre-eminence, Power, Will and Greatness. Prayer is possible because Jesus Christ made us clean and acceptable in the very presence of God through His work on the cross… so we can come boldly before the throne of grace. (Hebrews 4:16)
Prayer works and is effective because God is and He rules over the created realm. That’s right, prayer is based on the existence, compassion and power of God. This entire list Paul assembled about the Person and work of Jesus Christ was his motivation for prayer, praise, thanksgiving and sacrificial service. He properly viewed himself as servant and Jesus Christ as Lord.
If you want your life to change, focus on your relationship with Jesus Christ and your understanding of Who He Is! Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Purpose to walk with Him through the Helper He has given to His own. Press forward in learning how to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Deepen your prayer life through a growing understanding of Jesus Christ.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global