Colossians 1:18-20 NLT
[18] “Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. [19] For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, [20] and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.”

Head of creation, supreme in the universe, head of the church, first in everything. This is the position, office, and role of Jesus, earned through His obedience even to death and given to Him by the Father. There is no one higher than Jesus in the entire universe.

Paul has completed his resume of the supreme person of Jesus’ being and function in defense of the truth
against the false doctrines of the Gnostics. Their fanciful philosophy makes no sense compared with the very real person and work of Jesus.

Why is it so important that God’s people stay faithful to the truths of the gospel that they have been taught and believed? Our entire lives here on earth and our destiny in eternity rest on the solid foundation of fact and truth.

If Jesus is not God, the Son of God, if He did not live and die as history reports, if He did not rise from the dead, and if He does not reign as Lord of heaven and earth and head of the church, then everything we pin our hopes on is a myth and a mirage. The superstructure of our faith crumbles, and we have no reason for victory over sin and death and the hope of eternal life in the presemce of God.

Although doctrine does not save us…faith in Jesus does…our faith must rest on solid truth. We can not play fast and loose with what we believe. Believing the false teachings we are inclined to embrace does not make lies truth.

This principle applies not only to the broad truths of God’s Word but also to the small print and the finest details of what God has written. We add or change anything in the Bible to our peril.

We live in a time when many words are spoken or written in God’s name, which He has neither spoken nor authorised. People claim to function in offices not sanctioned in Scripture; prophecies are uttered in His name, and authority exercised, which has been wrenched from Jesus Himself.

We have Jesus’ example of the way to relate to God’s eternal Word. Under severe pressure, He verbalised His attitude, and His modus operandum for His entire personal life and public ministry…

Matthew 4:4 NIV
[4] “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Matthew 4:7 NIV
[7] “Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Matthew 4:10 NIV
[10] Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Jesus responded to Satan’s subtle attempts to break the union between Himself and the Father. He was resolute and determined to be in absolute submission and obedience to the pure Word of God.

So should we!

Only on the solid foundation of truth can we commit ourselves, now and in eternity, to the grace of the one who saves and secures us through our faith in Him.