First Of All: Embracing Christ

"Christ is either Lord of all, or He is not Lord at all."
- Hudson Taylor, Missionary

As Christians, we would say Christ is first of all. This is one thing to speak with our lips, but another to live with our lives. Living under the Lordship of Jesus requires us to know who He is. Colossians 1:15-20 is one of the most powerful passages pointing to this incredible reality.

As the One who made it all, paid it all, and restores it all, Jesus holds ultimate preeminence over everything. This poetic passage masterfully uses language to decisively attribute all power, dominion, and authority to Christ. As excited as I get about this solid declaration of Jesus as Lord, I'm also aware of the temptation present because of our brokenness. The reality of Jesus as Lord isn't something we enforce or something that makes us entitled. While one moves us to misuse power and the other to respond out of a distorted sense of privilege, Jesus' Lordship is something we are designed to gratefully receive and embody.

This can only be done as we release the areas of our life where we attempt to remain in control and learn to trust His immense love for us. As we learn to truly know Christ, we will continue to release the reins of our life to His reign.

What is the Holy Spirit encouraging you to surrender to Christ? Accept this loving invitation.