In Colossians 1:15-17, Paul wrote that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of every creature. For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or power: all things were created by Him, and for Him; And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist of every creature. What does it mean, Jesus being the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of every creature?
What is the meaning of colossians 1:15, Jesus being the image of the invisible God?
The meaning of Colossians 1:15, Jesus being the image of the invisible God, is that Jesus is the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His person. If you know Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Word that was made flesh, you know the Father.
No one has seen the Father but Jesus Christ and He is the reflection of Him. (a.o. John 1:18, 6:46, Hebrews 1:3).
Only through the Word, you can get to know the Father (Read also: Was Jesus fully Human?).
Who is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist (Colossians 1:15-17)
Philip saith unto Him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwells in Me, He doeth the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in My Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My Name, I will do it (John 14:8-14)
The old creation can’t believe nor see the Kingdom of God
Philip had spent so much time with Jesus and still, Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father. While Jesus was the reflection of the Father. The words, Jesus spoke and the works, He did were the words and works of the Father.
This shows, that as long as you remain the old creation, it’s hard to believe, to see, to comprehend, and to understand the spiritual things of the Kingdom of God.
Only when you become born again in the spirit, you enter the Kingdom of God. When you enter the Kingdom of God, you see the Kingdom of God and understand the spiritual things of God.
Wat is the meaning of Jesus being the Firstborn of every creature?
The meaning of Jesus being the Firstborn of every creature is that Jesus existed before everything else was created. Nothing existed before Jesus. All things in the heavens and on the earth, the visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers; all things were created by Him and for Him.
This shows us, the ultimate authority and highest power of Jesus Christ, above all other forces, powers, thrones, dominions, principalities, etc.. There is no higher and greater power in the heavens and on earth, that stands above God (Ephesians 1:20-23).
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made
John 1:1-3
Since all things were created by Jesus and for Him, Jesus had to come to the earth. So that through Jesus, the new creation; the new man could be created.
There was no one, who could do that, than Jesus Christ, the Living Word. And so Jesus became the Firstborn of the new creation. (Read also: The whole creation created in Jesus Christ).
These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God
Revelation 3:14
The new creation is the image of Jesus Christ
As Jesus is the image of the invisible God, so are the believers in Christ the image of Jesus Christ.
Christians, who by faith in Christ are born again in Him, are justified by His blood and born of water and Spirit and have become a new creation. As they are the new creation, they are the image of Jesus Christ on earth.
Christians belong to Jesus and submit to Him and live according to the will of God.
For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brethren
Romans 8:29
Believers walk with God
Believers walk after the Spirit and have an experiential relationship with Jesus Christ and the Father. They speak His words and do His works. Even greater works, said Jesus, because He went to the Father. The believers bear witness unto the truth and bear the same fruit as Jesus.
They are witnesses of Jesus Christ on earth. In His Name, they preach the gospel and call the people to repentance and the removal of sin, and deliver sinners from the power of darkness.
Because of this, born again Christians show through their lives that they belong to God and worship Him.
Christians walk in the light and distinguish themselves from the people, who through natural birth belong to the devil and the world and walk in darkness.
‘Be the salt of the earth’
