The Centrality of Christ

Placing Jesus at the Center of Our Lives

By NR JOHNSON

I have long been fascinated with space, planets, and faraway galaxies. In college, I took an astronomy course taught by an elderly professor who worked at NASA during the Apollo 13 crisis — and his stories captivated me, increasing the mystery and wonder of the universe in my mind.

Genesis chapter one tells us that God spoke light into existence on day one of creation but on day four He created the “lights in the expanse of the heavens” — specifically the sun, moon, and stars.

Have you ever seen NASA pictures online? Whether it be pictures of planets or of the countless galaxies swirling in space, such pictures are breathtaking to look at especially when you realize how small our blue planet is compared to the vastness of the whole.

Earth sits as a relatively small planet within our solar system, which sits within the larger Milky Way Galaxy … and it is estimated that there are more than 100 billion galaxies in the observable universe. And yet God reminds us that it is “He [who] upholds the universe by the word of His power” (Heb. 1:3 ESV) and “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Col. 1:17 ESV).

Despite the vastness of the universe, God is not distant and removed but rather intimate, close, and personal. He doesn’t govern from afar but is actively involved in the smallest details of our lives. What an incredible thought!

In God’s perfect design, He placed the sun at the center of our solar system. Each planet, though on different orbits, all rotate around and are fixated upon a single point — the sun.

The same is true for us — there is one point around which all is fixated and centered upon — Jesus Christ. The centrality of Christianity is the Son. Paul writes that “in all things He may have the preeminence” (Col. 1:18). The word “preeminent” means to have first place, a position that surpasses others, or having prominence. Jesus, in all things and at all times, is to be the center point, the focus, the standard, the most important, the head, and that which all else revolves around.

As you continue through Colossians, Paul makes several incredible statements about the preeminent position Christ is to have in our lives:

1:27 — “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

2:9-10 — “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”

3:2 — “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

3:4 — “… Christ who is our life …”

3:11b — “… but Christ is all and in all.”

3:14 — “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” (Also see 1 Corinthians 13 and 1 John 4:8, 16.)

3:16a — “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly …”

Paul consistently writes throughout his epistles that Christ is to be first, the focus, the centrality, and the One we build our lives around and upon. In Ephesians, Paul uses the phrases “in Christ,” “in Him,” and “in Whom” 30 times in the first three chapters to talk about our position as believers.

The Christian life is to be built upon and around Jesus Christ. Christians are to be marked by the life of Christ, where, as Ian Thomas once wrote, the only explanation of our lives is Him. When someone looks at your life, how do they explain the way you live? Can they explain away your life by your own effort, wisdom, and ability, or is the only way to explain your life Jesus? Ian Thomas writes:

“The Christian life can be explained only in terms of Jesus Christ, and if your life as a Christian can still be explained in terms of you — your personality, your willpower, your gift, your talent, your money, your courage, your scholarship, your dedication, your sacrifice, or your anything — then although you may have the Christian life, you are not yet living it! … It has got to become obvious to others that the kind of life you are living is … beyond all human explanation!”

The centrality of Christ is the essence of Christianity. Jesus has been given a position at the right hand of the Father, far above every principality, power, might, and dominion. His Name is greater than every other name that could be named, not only in this age but for all eternity (past and future). All things have been placed in subjection under His authority, and He has been made head over all things. For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. (See Ephesians 1:20-23 and Romans 11:36.)

He is preeminent! All we say, think, and do should flow out of a position of being IN Him. Our lives are to be marked by Christ. He is to be center. He is the North Star we fix our compass to. He is to be the sun which all things revolve around. He is the way. He is the truth. He is life and everything outside of Him is death.

Put It Into Practice

In this eight-week Bible study guide, I want us to walk through a simple book study of Colossians (a book that is all about the centrality and preeminence of Jesus Christ). I invite you to dive deep and join me on this exciting journey of saturating in God’s Word to know Him more. Though this guide may appear simple, it has the potential to radically change your life as you seek to grow in intimacy with Christ through His Word. Know I am praying for you and cheering you on into the endless depths of Jesus and His Word.