Often it’s not a deep theological argument or doctrinal debate that has the greatest impact, but a few simple words. That was my experience today as I read, “that in all things He might have the pre-eminence.” (Col. 1:18 KJV) Simple words, but a profound truth that needs to be the reality of every aspect of our lives – my life. . The Amplified Version puts it like this: “that He alone in everything and in every respect might occupy the chief place [stand first and be preeminent].” Or as the NASB expresses it: “that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.”
For me this was a “Selah” moment – one where I needed to sit and think about the implication of these words. In a generic sense I would certainly say immediately that Christ was first (pre-eminent) in my life; that is certainly my desire and prayer. But the challenge of these words is that He is to be that in “all things” – no exceptions. So I began to think about specific areas of my life and ask, “Does He truly have first place in that area, in that situation, in those circumstances?” And soon that question became a prayer: “Lord, please, in this area of need have pre-eminence, in these circumstances come first.” You see, I have a long history of struggling with self – with liking to be first myself – so this was a necessary and important time of allowing the Spirit to search my heart.
They were just a few simple words, but those words became a challenge and a choice – “that in all things He might have the pre-eminence.”
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