Christ, the Father's Firstborn
Thesis: To impress to the hearer the widespread magnitude of Christ’s ranking and rule over all creation and also the church (ekklesia, i.e. “called out ones”), which is His body.
Text: Col 1:12-23
Introduction,
In the first section of Colossian epistle it sets forth the pre-eminence of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Some may assert That Jesus is “a god” little “g.”
Others state that He was merely another one of God’s prophets.
Some state that He is but one of the spiritual Guides who has the rank of master.
And yet others state that He was just a mere man, a magician, a liar, or a lunatic, even a madman.
Yet this section of God’s inspired word clearly sets forth and therefore we will look at . . .
1) “Who” Jesus is, (v 12-15) and
2) “Where” He stands in the plan of the Father, (v 16-18) and
3) “Why” Jesus is Who He is (v 19-23).
I. “WHO” JESUS IS (v 12-15)
A. (Col 1:12)
Col 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you (us) to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
1. Here it is seen Who is to be the recipient of our prayers (the Father; Eph 5:20).
Eph 5:20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
a. Yet there are some who teach, based upon a certain verse and Bible version (Acts 7:59; NIV) that one may actually offer prayers unto Jesus, He is the one Mediator unto, the only way to the Father (John 14:6; Tim 2:5), so who mediates for Him? Mary? Another Christian (saint) of ancient times? The Bible states nothing about such a doctrine and seeing that it contains “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Pet 1:3) and it contains this not, “the Faith has been once for all time delivered” in the 1st century (Jude 3) yet this doctrine developed over hundreds of years after this, therefore it must not be from heaven but rather of men, thus it ought to be rejected.
b. For the Scriptures are clear upon Who is to be the One we pray unto, our Father Who art in heaven (Mt 6:6; Lk 11:2; Jn 16:23; Eph 5:20; Phili 4:6; Col 1:3; 12; 3:17), and then only through the mediation of His only begotten Son (1 Tim 2:5).
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
c. This (Acts 7:59) is one of the many places that this version (NIV) actually makes God's word contradict itself attempting to force in the doctrines of men. God’s word is in perfect harmony from the first verse in Gen., to the last verse in Rev. (Ps 119:160).
Psa 119:160 The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
2. In our verse (Col 1:12) it teaches us that God has qualified whosoever wills, through the power of the gospel, to attain salvation in the eternal purpose of God, the church.
a. And in the church, in the kingdom, in Christ, in God, is the only place where the inheritance of eternal life is possessed, it is depicted as a place of light.
b. While outside of this sphere of salvation it is pictured as a place of spiritual darkness and death, Jesus spoke concerning this spiritual contrast and people’s reaction to it in John 3:19-21 (turn there) . . .
Joh 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
Joh 3:20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
Joh 3:21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God."
B. (Col 1:13)
Col 1:13 He has delivered us from the domain (power) of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
1. Here the Father is depicted as moving 1st century Christians and also those who believe and obey today from one realm (darkness; this physical world dominated by the practice of sin) into the kingdom of His beloved Son (God’s spiritual kingdom which is “in”, but not “of” this world),
a. This idea of movement is also brought forth by Jesus in Jn 5:24 (look there) . . .
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
b. He also brings forth this idea to Saul (Paul) on the road to Damascus in Acts 26:13-18 (turn there) . . .
Act 26:13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me.
Act 26:14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads (spears).'
Act 26:15 And I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
Act 26:16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,
Act 26:17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you
Act 26:18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
2. Thus the Father is brought forth moving us from one spiritual realm to another, and the Son is also brought forth as adding people to this number in Acts 2:47,
Act 2:47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
a. As is the Holy Spirit in (1 Cor 12:13),
1Co 12:13 For in (by) one Spirit (spirit) we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
b. All are spoken of as adding those who believe and through faith obey the gospel into the kingdom, the church, the one body, Christ’s church; clearly this shows us how the Godhead works together, for truly God is one (Deut 6:4; Ja 2:19)
3. Here (Col 1:13) Christ is spoken of as the Son of the Father’s love, His beloved Son, that love which was supremely manifested toward mankind through God's sacrifice of His Son (1 John 4:10-11).
1Jn 4:10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation (payment) for our sins.
1Jn 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1Jn 4:12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
a. When Christians display love one for another, the invisible God is visibly seen by others through that active biblical love.
C. (Col 1:14)
Col 1:14 in whom we have (our) redemption, the forgiveness of (our) sins.
In the kingdom, the church, the body, in Christ we are redeemed, we are purchased, redeemed (Tit 2:14).
Tit 2:14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession . . .
a. Purchased by the precious blood of Christ (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 1:18-19)
Act 20:28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
1Pe 1:18 knowing that you were ransomed (redeemed) from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
1Pe 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
b. Bought, owned, lock, stock and barrel, thus we are no longer our own (1 Cor 6:19), we are dead to ourselves (2 Cor 5:14b-15).
2Co 5:14b . . . one died for all, therefore all died;
2Co 5:15 and he died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again.
And herein, in this purchased state, in the church, the kingdom, in Christ, through the power of the gospel, we have remission (forgiveness) of sins through the precious blood of Jesus Christ (Heb 9:22), which we contact in the waters of baptism, we are immersed into His death (Rom 6:3-4), where His blood was shed (Jn 19:34), which simultaneously puts one in Christ (Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27).
a. Let us keep in mind that “faith” (“belief”) is an inseparable part of “the Faith”, it is the first step wherein one enters into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15), Jesus puts it like this in Jn 5:24 . . .
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
b. But also “faith” is to be part of ALL we do, unto the Lord, and to others, for without faith, works are dead (Ja 2:26; Rom 14:23).
D. (Col 1:15)
Col 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
1. Jesus is the physical image of the invisible God, He said to Philip in (Jn 14:9).
Joh 14:9 . . . Whoever has seen me has seen the Father . . .
a. For God has not (Jn 1:18) and cannot be seen by the human eye (1 Tim 6:16).
1Ti 6:16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
b. But when the Word that was God became flesh (John 1:14), God with us, “Immanuel” (Mt 1:23), He (Jesus) declared Him (the Father) to us (Jn 1:18), He came to earth and showed us how the Father would have acted, what the Father would have said, if He possessed a physical body and lived among humanity, in Jesus the fullness of the Godhead dwelt in a fleshly body (Col 2:9).
2. The word “image” here in Greek is “eikon”, Jesus Christ is the only image (eikon) authorized in His church. His example, His teaching, His words, not a physical representation (a statue or picture) of His body.
3. He is the “firstborn” of (over) all creation.
a. This does not carry the idea that Christ was the first created being, as some erringly teach (JW’s). In fact Jesus was literally born (became flesh; Jn 1:14) roughly 2000 years ago, while the creation account occurred about 7,000 years ago.
b. This idea comes from the OT, where the eldest son (the firstborn) was given a double portion of the father’s inheritance, and exercised authority and rule over the father’s property (Gen 27; 2 Chro 21:3).
c. Therefore Jesus is the pre-eminent One (the firstborn) over all things, in heaven and on earth, He has been given “all authority” (Mt 28:18), therefore He is also the head over “all things” to the church, which is His body (Eph 1:22-23),
d. He as the head is the only Director of His body, He has not relinquished His headship to anyone, Christ only, through the NT (New Covenant) only, as long as this earth exists, let us humbly submit to His rule (Col 3:17), this is “WHO Jesus is.”
Col 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything (all) in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
II. “WHERE” JESUS STANDS IN THE FATHER’S PLAN (v 16-18)
C. (Col 1:16)
Col 1:16 For by (in) him all things were created, in (the) heaven(s) and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
1. Jesus, the Word that was God, having been given the role of the Firstborn Son, He orchestrated that which the Father purposed, the physical and the spiritual creation, which includes the eternal purpose of God, the church, the called out ones.
a. The Father was the Purposer, The Word (Son) was the Executor, and the Holy Spirit was the Active Agent, the Revealer and Confirmer.
b. In creation God “said” by the agency of the Word, and the Spirit “moved” and it came to be.
c. In the eternal purpose, the church, God Purposed; Christ Declared, Died, Rose, and Ascended; and the Holy Spirit Empowered, Revealed, Confirmed and Recorded the NT, and it in like manner came to be.
2. “All things” were created by Him, there are two options when we look at this verse, One is either God, or one is a thing, a part of creation. This plainly sets forth Jesus Christ as a member of the eternal Godhead. Some (JW”S) have gone so far as to add the word “all [other] things” to their Bible version here and twice in verse 17 attempting to support their doctrine of Jesus being a created being.
3. “All things” were created by Christ, and for Christ. It is the physical and the spiritual realms which He uses to accomplish the eternal purpose of His Father, the redemption of mankind through the church, and when that purpose is complete, the physical part of this creation as we know it will be done away with (Gen 8:22; Ps 72:5-7; Mt 24:35; Heb 1:10-12; 2 Pet 3:10; Rev 21:1).
Gen 8:22 While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease."
Psa 72:5 May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
Psa 72:6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth!
Psa 72:7 In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
Mat 24:35 Heaven (the sky) and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Heb 1:10 And, "You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;
Heb 1:11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment,
Heb 1:12 like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end."
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Rev 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away; and there is no longer any sea.
B. (Col 1:17)
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together (consist).
1. “HE IS”, Jesus Christ existed before any created thing was created (John 1:3)
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 He was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
2. “HE IS” here is equal to “I AM” as seen in the gospel account of John, “HE IS” the existing One, He (Christ) always existed as a member of the Godhead, (Jehovah God), and He proclaimed such (in Jn 8:24; the word “he” was added by translators who did not believe that Christ was God; John 8:24, 58; 18:4-9).
Joh 8:24 Therefore, I said to you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM (HE IS), you will die in your sins. (LITV)
Joh 8:58 Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham came to be, I AM! (LITV)
Joh 18:4 Then knowing all the things coming upon Him, going forth, Jesus said to them, Whom do you seek?
Joh 18:5 They answered Him, Jesus the Nazarene. Jesus said to them, I AM! And Judas, the one betraying Him, also stood with them.
Joh 18:6 Then when He said to them, I AM, they departed into the rear and fell to the ground.
Joh 18:7 Then again He asked, Whom do you seek? And they said, Jesus the Nazarene.
Joh 18:8 Jesus answered, I told you that I AM; then if you seek Me, allow these to depart,
Joh 18:9 (that the Word might be fulfilled which He said, "Of those whom You gave to Me, I lost not one of them)." (LITV)
3. As the Word of God (the 2nd Member of the Godhead; “and the Word was God;” John 1:1) He created all things, He later miraculously became flesh (by the power of the Holy Spirit; Lk 1:35; born of a virgin; Isa 7:14), and dwelt among us (John 1:14), “Immanuel” “God with us” (Mt 1:23), not “an angel with us,” (Heb ch 1) nor “some other high ranking spiritual creature with us,” nor just a prophet with us, nor a madman with us, but “God with us” (Mt 1:23)
Mat 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).
4. Also at this present time, that same Word, Jesus Christ is constantly exerting power in this physical realm, and in the heavenly realms in order that these may continue to exist, “in him all things hold together (consist)” as also affirmed by Heb 1:3a.
Heb 1:3a He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds (is upholding; present active participle) the universe by the word of his power (instrumental case).
5. Gravity, photosynthesis, the theory of relativity, the ways that the planets and asteroids move throughout the universe, individuals being born and dying, spirits being transported by angels to the heavenly places, Heaven, Hell, Hades, and so forth, are all kept going by the power of God through the Word, again one day God will bring it all to an end (Gen 8:22; Mt 24:35; Heb 1:10-12; 2 Pet 3:10; 1 Cor 15:53; Rev 20:14).
2Pe 3:13 But according to his promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
C. (Col 1:18)
Col 1:18 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.
1. As our bodies obey our heads, so also is the church (the called out ones) to obey its Head, in all things (Eph 1:22-23).
Eph 1:22 and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23 which is his body, the fulness of him that fills all in all.
a. Those that do not, simply are not His (Mt 7:21; Luke 6:46; Heb 5:9).
Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does (keeps doing) the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Luk 6:46 "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' (Master, Master) and not do what I tell you?
Heb 5:9 and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;
b. The obedience of faith (Rom 1:5; 16:26) is the outward proof of whose child we are, God’s or Satan’s (1 Jn 3:4-10), if you say you are His and do no practice the truth, you lie, and the truth is not in you.
2. He (Jesus) having the pre-eminence was also the Beginning of the resurrection unto eternity, the Firstborn of those who would be raised from the dead on the Last Day (Jn 5:28-29),
Joh 5:28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
Joh 5:29 and come out (forth), those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
a. Others have been resurrected throughout time (the widow of Zerephath’s son, 1 Ki 17; the Shunammite woman’s son 2 Ki 4, various saints, Mt 27:52-53; Lazarus, John 11; Tabitha, Acts 9) yet these ultimately died again, but Jesus’ resurrection was unique, it was the first of its kind, He is alive in the heavenly places never to die again (Rev 1:17-18).
Rev 1:17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last,
Rev 1:18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
b. And Jesus, as our Forerunner (Heb 6:20), our Living Hope (1 Pet 1:3-4), the Creator, and the Sustainer of all, the physical and the spiritual, without Him there is nothing but the Godhead (Jehovah God), therefore all creation and salvation have been put in His almighty and powerful hands, this is “WHERE Jesus stands in the Father’s plans.”
III. “WHY” JESUS IS WHO HE IS (v 19-23)
D. (Col 1:19)
Col 1:19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him; (NASB)
1. Because it was the Fathers “good pleasure” His will, that within the Person of Jesus Christ should all the fullness of the Divine Nature, the Godhead dwell (Col 2:9).
Col 2:9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; (EMTV)
a. Why? (Jn 3:16).
Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
b. We must always be aware of the severity of God (Rom 11:22), the fear of the LORD is the first principle fact in the knowledge of God (Pro 1:7), yet His goodness, His love, is without compare, God certainly is love without compare (1 Jn 4:8, 16), but He is not only love, He is also a consuming fire (Heb 10:31; 12:29), and vengeance is His (Rom 12:19).
2. We need to understand that Christ cannot be a creature but must actually be God, because the shed blood of a creature could not take away the sins of the world (Heb 10:4), neither bulls, nor goats, nor mortal man, nor an angel could satisfy God’s justice (Isa 45:21), but only the shed blood of God could bring this about (Acts 20:28), and since God can’t be killed, nor have blood to shed, so, by necessity, He had to become flesh and blood (human), in order that this could take place (Acts 20:28; Phili 2:6-8; Heb 2:14).
Act 20:28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained (purchased) with his own blood.
Php 2:6 who, though he was (existing) in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
Php 2:7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Php 2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Heb 2:14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
E. (Col 1:20)
Col 1:20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in (the) heaven(s), making peace by the blood of his cross.
1. The plan of redemption is based upon the greater always blesses the lesser principle (Heb 7:7)
the blood of God Himself (Acts 20:28), which was shed on the cross (Jn 19:34) is that which only could effectuate the redemption of mankind, those created in God’s image (Gen 1:26).
a. Those that died faithful under patriarchy or the law of Moses sins were also forgiven by God's (Christ’s) shed blood (Rom 3:25; Heb 9:15), this would be those things in the heavens, the heavenly realms (those whose spirits are in Hades), and those things upon earth would be those lived during the Christian age, who believed and through faith obeyed the gospel.
C. (Col 1:21)
Col 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile (enemies) in mind, doing evil deeds,
1. We, like those at Colossae, like all the accountable, separated ourselves from God (Isa 59:2)
Isa 59:2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
a. For the cause of sin (Rom 3:23).
Rom 3:23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
b. No person can live a sinless life, we are born innocent (Ps 106:37-38; Ezek 18:20; 28:15; Mk 10:13-15; Rom 14:12), and become sinners (Rom 5:12), thus all outside of Christ, that are accountable in the sight of God are the enemies of God by reason of sin (Rom 5:10; Ja 4:4).
Rom 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Jas 4:4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
c. For there simply is no middle ground (Mt 12:30).
Mat 12:30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
d. God defines sin in His absolute standard, His word, it is the transgression of His law, lawlessness (1 John 3:4); whether they be sins of commission, sins of omission, or sins against one’s conscience, He has revealed, confirmed and recorded that perfect law for imperfect man, the NT (Isa 2:3; Rom 8:2; 1 Cor 9:21; Gal 6:2; Heb 8:10; Ja 1:25; 2:12).
e. We learned, desired, and imitated the things of the world, in the broad way that leads to death, we are warned (1 John 2:15-17) . . .
1Jn 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires (lusts) of the flesh and the desires (lusts) of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world is passing away along with its desires (lusts), but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
f. For there is just too much information (as seen in the differing types of sins) and way too many paradoxes in the Christian life in order to just accidentally do God’s will (Isa 35:8; 55:8-9; Pro 14:12),
Isa 35:8 A highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but is shall be for the redeemed: the wayfaring men, yea fools, shall not err therein. (ASV)
Isa 35:8 A highway will be there, a roadway. It will be called the Holy Road. Sinners won't travel on it. It will be for those who walk on it. Godless fools won't wander onto it. (GW) (TS1998+)
Isa 35:8 And there shall be a highway, and a way, and it shall be called “The Way of Set-apartness1.” The unclean does not pass over it, but it is for those who walk the way, and no fools wander on it. Footnote: 1See Ps. 77:13. (TS1998+)
Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts
Pro 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
g. Therefore, this (the gospel, God’s power unto salvation) demands that we live by faith (Rom 10:17).
Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
h. God’s ways can only be known through the divine instructions He gave, those living waters, His special revelation to humanity, the Bible, specifically the NT, which gives us all things that pertain unto life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3), everything we need to be complete before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give an account (2 Tim 3:16-17).
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
2Ti 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
D. (Col 1:22)
Col 1:22 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,
1. We moved, we sinned (Rom 3:23), while God is a rock, He never moves.
a. Yet God in His great love set up a plan that would bring us back, through the death of His Son (John 3:16), and His shed blood (Heb 9:22), which makes available for whosoever wills, the remission of sins, and the transforming of ourselves back to the way God wants us, through belief in and the obedience of faith to the gospel, I believe this verse speaks of positional holiness (Heb 10:10-14) wherein we become the righteousness of God in Jesus (2 Cor 5:21).
Heb 10:10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Heb 10:11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
Heb 10:12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,
Heb 10:13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.
Heb 10:14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
2Co 5:21 For our sake he made him to be (a) sin (sacrifice) who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
b. In order that we might become a holy people of God (manifest practical holiness; 2 Cor 7:1; Heb 12:14), “separated from” the world and sin, and “separated to” God and His righteousness, able to stand without spot or blemish before the judgment seat of Christ on that Last Day, being able to look forward to eternity with our God instead of so much the things on earth, with all those that loved and obeyed the Lord, who are dying daily to self and living unto God.
E. (Col 1:23)
Col 1:23 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 (servant).
Yet there are conditions attached, note the “if” here, “if” we continue in the Faith, the Gospel, the Way, the Christian system, with its facts to believe, commands to keep, promises to receive, and warnings to heed, and not move away to what we want, or what we think, but rather abiding, living in what God says.
“Continuing in the Faith” here would be equal to “being led by the Spirit” (Rom 8:14), “walking in the light” (1 Jn 1:7), Jesus said (John 8:31b-32).
Joh 8:31b "If you abide in my word, (then) you are truly my disciples,
Joh 8:32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set (make) you free."
But let us not put the cart before the horse, we will continue in the Faith because we are “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) not being saved because we continue in the Faith, this is not about perfection, but practice, the life we live will show whose child we are, God’s or Satan’s (1 Jn 3:4-10).
At the time that Paul wrote this epistle (AD 62) the gospel had been over 30 years in spreading being assisted by the miraculous working of God, it had gone into all the known world at that time and was continually bearing fruit (Col 1:5-6).
The same gospel will get the same results to day, if it falls upon the good ground, a good and honest heart (Luke 8:15), it will bear fruit unto eternal life.
Paul was a minister, a servant as some versions render it, the word here is “diakonos,” Thayer defines this word thusly . . .
“one who executes the commands of another, especially of a master”
He was assigned by Christ, the Lord, the Master to specifically bring the gospel to the Gentiles (Gal 2:7), even though he preached to both Jew and Gentile alike (Acts 26:13-18).
b. All Christians are to be “diakonos” servants, they likewise are to execute the commands of the Master Jesus Christ, we all who follow Christ are under the perpetual great commission (Mt 28:19-20a) . . .
Mat 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in(to) the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20a teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."(which includes the making of, baptizing, and teaching disciples to observe all things, and so on, and so on, and so, until Christ comes)
Christ is the Lord, the Master, He is Divine in nature, and because of that He is perfectly able to be “Who He is,” and “Where He is.” He “is” that perfect sacrifice, God slain for you, raised from the dead, to life forevermore with Him, as will you be also, “if” you continue to let the living hope of the gospel dwell in you, which prompts you to follow, imitate Him, He Who “is” currently ruling at the right hand of the Father through the agency of the NT (John 17:8, 14, 20-21)
But we must love Him enough to submit to His rule (Rom 10:3), His Lordship (John 14:15),
Joh 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Through that love of God which is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5) which is given to us upon belief in the gospel (Gal 3:2; Eph 1:13).
For He can’t be our Savior, if He is not also our Lord (Master; Luke 6:46; Mt 7:21).
Luk 6:46 "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord, (Master, Master), ' and not do what I tell you?
Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who keeps saying to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will get into the kingdom from heaven, but only the person who keeps doing the will of my Father in heaven. (ISV)
Conclusion,
Jesus was and is God, the Creator, and Sustainer of all.
He has been given the role of the Firstborn Son in God's wonderful plan.
Because of God's great love, manifested without compare in the giving of His uniquely Begotten Son, for the sins of the world.
Remission of sins is available “in Christ” His blood bought church, the only place where reconciliation unto God is possible?
And one enters into that place the same way as depicted in the NT, through the one Gospel, that once and for all time revealed Faith, the only Way
One is to . . .
Hear the Word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17)
Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
This is how the Father plants His Word within the good ground, the good, honest and open heart
One is to . . .
Believe that Jesus is the crucified, resurrected and Divine Christ (John 8:24), Who died for our sins (1 Cor 15:1-4); and believe that God rewards those that earnestly seek after Him (Heb 11:6), Christ is the firstfruits of the resurrection unto eternal life (1 Cor 15:23), we must believe that we will follow (1 Pet 1:3-4), belief (faith) is the crossover point wherein one enters into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18, 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15), Jesus puts it this way in Jn 5:24 . . .
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
One is to . . .
Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5) Jesus stated . . .
Luk 13:3 . . . except you repent, you shall all in like manner perish.
And He meant exactly what He said, repentance is a change of mind that results in a changed life, a changed life
proves whose child you are, God’s or Satan’s (1 Jn 3:4-10).
One is to . . .
Confess Jesus as the Christ before others (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9), the eunuch said . . .
“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So should you
And also confess Him daily in your life of service through Him unto others
One is to. . .
Be baptized (immersed), which doth also now save us (1 Pet 3:21), it washes away our sins (Acts 22:16) immersed into Christ (Gal 3:27) into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3) where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34) unto (for) the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).
And finally one is to . . .
Continue living a holy life unto God (1 Pet 1:15), separated from the ways of the world and set apart to the
Way of God (John 14:6)
Being renewed day by day, through study and application of God’s ever abiding living and active word
Putting off that old man, and putting on the new, being constantly in a state of spiritual growth,
Showing forth God’s love through your life as a Christian (only), as the Bible teaches . . .
Walking faithfully in the righteousness of God revealed, that pure gospel of Christ,
In order that you won’t have your name blotted out of the Lamb’s Book of life,
In order that you may be granted entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ (2 Pet 1:11).