Christ Who Came as the Son (Colossians 1:13–20)
Christ Who Came as the Son (Colossians 1:13–20) 8/3/2025
Paul’s prison epistles include Ephesians, Philippians, and beginning this week, we will look into Colossians. These prison letters are important because it contains the mystery by which Paul, though imprisoned, was able to be full of joy and thanksgiving, and received even greater answers and blessings while in prison. This is the salvation we have received, the gospel given to us for that salvation, and the mystery of Christ.
Colossians is a letter sent to the Church of Colossae. While Paul was staying in Ephesus for three years planting a church, a man named Epaphras heard the gospel and later returned to his hometown of Colossae to plant a church.
Just like other churches in the Early Church era, the Church of Colossae had serious problems. There was external persecution, but more seriously, false doctrines and heresies were infiltrating the church. This has always been Satan’s tactic to destroy the church, and something Jesus Himself warned against (Matthew 24:7–13, 1 John 2:22). The doctrinal confusion and heresies came in at least three forms (Greek philosophy and secularism, Jewish legalism and tradition, Gnosticism with mysticism, asceticism, and angel worship).
Their true goal was to deny that Christ alone is everything. The moment we lose hold of only Christ, Satan rushes into the individual and the church, and spiritual problems begin to arise.
Satan does not fear our knowledge, legalistic deeds, or ascetic lifestyle. In fact, he may temporarily allow worldly success to deceive us (Matthew 4:1–11). That is how Satan has brought down churches throughout history. Even now, many churches worldwide are shutting down.
- Why must it be only Christ? We must take this answer and conclusion.
It is because our knowledge, actions, and effort are not enough, that God sent His Son as the Christ. In verses 13–14, how does it describe the salvation we received through Christ?
1) God rescued us from the domain of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His Son (13). What is the firsts step of salvation? It is escaping the spiritual problem that began in Genesis 3.
① Satan deceived Adam and Eve, making them fall into pride, disbelieve God, and disobey Him. Being deceived by Satan, humanity sinned and was thus separated from God (Ephesians 2:1, 2:16).
② Humanity committed the sin of disobeying God and became captives to Satan (John 8:44, Ephesians 2:2–3, 1 Corinthians 10:20). This results in curses, destiny, and generational problems. Salvation means escaping from this devil (Luke 1:71).
③ For this reason, the Son of God came (1 John 3:8). We have been now transferred into His kingdom. In Christ, we become sons of God, with nothing to fear (John 1:12, Rom 8:15–17). With the authority of the name of Christ the Son, even if we fail temporarily, we will ultimately have victory (Romans 16:20, James 4:7, Revelation17:14, Revelation 21:7). He will govern us forever. This is the kingship of Christ.
2) In Him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (14).
① The consequence of human sin was scary (Genesis 3:16–19, Romans 5:12, Romans 6:17). The problem is that no matter how hard we try to live righteously, we cannot meet God’s standard (Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23).
② That is why the Son of God Himself died for us (1 Peter 3:18). He became the mediator. That was the atonement. He clothed us in the blood of Christ so that we are made righteous and we will be sanctified until our salvation is made complete in the end (Philippians 1:6). We are lacking, but are made to now boldly approach God’s throne of grace (Hebrews 4:15–16). This is the priesthood of Christ.
③ Now those who have received this grace are commanded to show compassion and forgive (Ephesians 4:32). Satan’s final aim is to make us fall, accuse us, and render us as failures.
3) In Him, all the fullness of God dwells (19) and He reconciled all things to Himself (20)
① This is why it is said Christ is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He is the way to meet God, the truth that defeats lies, and the life that conquers death. This is the Prophethood of Christ.
② The path we walk is not just any path. It is a journey prepared by (the covenant journey). So no problem is truly a problem, and no blessing or answer is a product of our works or efforts.
③ People like Moses, David, and even Paul were full of flaws, but God used them. Through suffering and failure, they met and experienced God (pilgrim’s journey, journey of the remained). Eventually, they became masterpieces that saved their generation (evangelist’s journey, conqueror’s journey). Sharing this covenant and journey of Christ is the work of evangelism and missions, and the remnant ministry.
- Who is this Christ? Unique, absolute, and eternal blessings come from this. We must find our identity in this.
1) He is the image of the invisible God and the firstborn over all creation (15). The invisible God came in the flesh to carry our weaknesses and sins. This is the love of God. This is why we must look to Christ 24 hours and edit our lives through Him.
2) All things were created through Him (16–17). As the Creator, Christ can re-create us and the world. This is the power of God. Even when we are weak or in despair, we must look to God deeply. His power of re-creation will appear. This is the power of 25 hours. Design your life as you look upon this power of re-creation. From this comes the 300% masterpiece (100% to save myself, 100% to save the field, 100% to save the world and the next generation)
3) He established the church, and He is the head of the church (18). God raised us, who are the weakest, to become the church and one body. This includes the individual church, local church, and global church.
① God wants to reveal His glory through the church. That is why the church is His glory and masterpiece. Live a church-centered life. Find all answers in the pulpit, have fellowship, and pray together (Acts 2:42).
② Do not become someone who judges or criticizes others. Become a helper. Reflect deeply on what it means to be one body. If you suffer for the church, do so with faith that you are filling yourself with Christ’s remaining afflictions (24).
③ The mission of the church is to save all nations. Your lives must be designed with this. God wants the mystery of Christ to be richly revealed among the Gentiles (27). The one person you meet, pray for, and support may be the one to save a nation. This is the blessing of eternity (Revelation 8:9-12).
Conclusion – Verse 23 says if we continue in faith toward Christ (only), and are not moved from the hope of the gospel (uniqueness), God will fulfill all His work (masterpiece of re-creation). May our lives become established as the systems for this blessing.
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