The Big Idea
An Introduction to Be Complete
by Ken Baugh
In the fall of 1992, Michael Plant, a popular American yachtsman, set sail from the United States for a solo trans-Atlantic crossing to France. His vessel was a state-of-the-art sailboat called the Coyote. The Coyote was second to none in its equipment; its hull was made of the finest materials, and its sophisticated electronics included an emergency guidance and tracking system that was linked directly to a satellite. Michael Plant had everything he needed—the expertise, experience, and the equipment—for a successful voyage to France. But eleven days into the voyage, radio contact with the Coyote was lost.
Initially the radio silence raised little alarm. Michael was known to be independent, and most people suspected that rough seas were consuming his time. Once the storms passed and the seas became calm again, everyone believed that Michael would radio in that all was well. But after a few more days passed with no word from him, a search party was launched.
It was true that Michael had encountered rough seas and a severe storm, but when the Coyote was built, an eight-thousand-pound weight was bolted to its keel, making it almost impossible to capsize. Yet when the boat was finally found, it was floating upside down and there was no trace of its captain. Nobody knows how or why, but the eight-thousand-pound weight somehow broke loose, rendering the boat unstable, and one large wave was all it took.
What a tragic irony. Millions of dollars in state-of-the-art equipment with the finest and most experienced sailor at the helm was all for nothing because of a simple problem that occurred below the surface—something all the satellites in the world couldn’t fix. In a similar way, a person’s faith can look legitimate on the outside—above the waterline—but if that very same faith is not bolted to the person and work of Jesus Christ, he will have no chance of completing the journey. Why? Because as the one and only God-man, Jesus alone is capable of taking the penalty for our sins and anchoring us to the Father through faith. Jesus Himself made this clear:
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NIV)
Somehow, the Colossian believers began to drift in their understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ, and Paul needed to stop this drift and reestablish a proper Christology. A proper Christology includes two essential parts: (1) the person of Jesus Christ, which includes His character and nature; and (2) the work of Jesus Christ, which is all about redemption. Jesus intended to redeem those who are captive to sin by dying on the cross and paying the price for their freedom. All that is required to take part in this redemption is a belief that Jesus was the Son of God, meaning Jesus was God Himself. Any compromise on these two parts will result in an impotent faith that is unable to provide salvation and eternal life in heaven. And that is the big idea behind Paul’s letter to the Colossians: It is the person and work of Jesus Christ alone that are able to offer salvation.
Recently I have discovered many people say that Jesus is their Savior, believing that He was the Son of God and even that He died on the cross for them, yet they do not believe that He was God Himself. Is this just an issue of semantics, or does it really matter what one believes about the person of Christ? I believe the apostle Paul would say that it matters a great deal what one believes about Jesus’ nature. If Jesus was not divine, if He were not God in human flesh, then he never could have been an appropriate sacrifice for sin. Only God Himself has the power to release people from their bondage to sin. And as you read and study Paul’s letter to the Colossians you quickly realize how important a proper understanding of both the person and work of Christ is to one’s salvation, for in this letter we find some of the boldest statements in all of Scripture about Jesus’ identity as God. For example:
He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Col. 1:15–17 NIV)
A couple things jump out here that we must take note of, because they are central to Paul’s Christology. First, we should note that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God.” Simply put, if you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus—He is the visible image of God (see also John 14:9).
Paul goes on to say: “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Col. 2:9 NIV). Jesus is an exact reproduction of God (see also Heb. 1:3); there is no difference in essence, character, or nature.
Second, we must clarify the word firstborn. Some people use this word to prove that Jesus could not have been God because it says that He was “born”; as such, Jesus is a created being and not equal to God in character and nature. However, “firstborn” does not mean that Jesus was created, but rather that Jesus is first in rank. It’s a phrase that typifies one who is deserving of the highest honor. “Firstborn” was also used as a title to represent the coming Messiah according to Psalm 89:27. Again this creates for us an image of Jesus as God—who else is deserving of the highest honor but God Himself?
Finally, we should note that “all things” were created by Jesus—not some, not most, but all things. Jesus is preeminent and supreme over everything that He created (see also John 1:3). Who else but God could be described in such a way?
Apparently, there were some in Colossae who were teaching a false Christology, and in undermining the true nature of Jesus Christ, these people were causing confusion as to the real way of salvation. Your Christology, that is, your understanding of the person and work of Christ, is critical to salvation. Thankfully Paul recognized the problem in Colossae and moved quickly to correct it, leaving us a lasting legacy of truth in the process. So read on my friend, apply yourself to the study of God’s Word throughout this commentary, and make sure that your faith is firmly bolted to the person and work of Jesus Christ.
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Dr. Wiersbe’s commentaries have been a source of guidance and strength to me over the many years that I have been a pastor. His unique style is not overly academic, yet theologically sound. He presents the deep truths of Scripture in a way that everyone can understand and apply. Whether you’re a Bible scholar or a brand-new believer in Christ, you will benefit, as I have, from Warren’s insights. With your Bible in one hand and Dr. Wiersbe’s commentary in the other, you will be able to accurately unpack the deep truths of God’s Word and learn how to apply them to your life.
Drink deeply, my friend, of the truths of God’s Word, for in them you will find Jesus Christ, and there is freedom, peace, assurance, and joy.
—Ken Baugh
Pastor of Coast Hills Community Church
Aliso Viejo, California