Joy in Grief
The Supremacy of Christ
There's a profound difference between knowing doctrine and living it. We can teach truth, preach truth, and understand truth intellectually—but when life's hardest moments arrive, that's when doctrine must become more than words. It must become the very foundation we stand on.
Joy in grief isn't a contradiction—it's a testimony. It's the visible evidence that our faith isn't just theoretical. When we walk through valleys we never wanted to enter, when we face losses that shake us to our core, our response reveals what we truly believe about God.
The Witness of Our Lives
In the early church, the word for "witness" was martis—the root of our word "martyr." These believers understood something profound: their very lives were testimonies to Christ. Whether they lived or died, they proclaimed the gospel. They witnessed to His death, burial, and resurrection through their own willingness to suffer.
Today, we may not face martyrdom, but we are still witnesses. Every moment of our lives declares something about what we believe. When we take communion, we witness to Christ's sacrifice. When we endure hardship with faith, we witness to His sustaining power.
When we choose joy despite circumstances, we witness to His resurrection life within us.
The question isn't whether we're witnessing—it's what we're witnessing to.
The Danger of Devaluation
The church in Colossae faced a subtle but deadly threat. False teaching had crept in, not necessarily denying Christ outright, but devaluing Him. They became fascinated with Greek philosophy, cosmic speculation, and worldly wisdom. Christ became one truth among many, rather than the Truth that holds all things together.
As Augustine wrote, "Christ is not valued at all unless He is valued above all."
We face similar dangers today. The world constantly seeks to transform us rather than allowing Christ to transform us. We champion political positions more passionately than we champion Christ. We argue about worldly matters with more fervor than we declare gospel truth. We scroll through social media, absorbing the world's values, while our Bibles gather dust.
When Christ is devalued, our worship becomes impure. Our discipleship becomes compromised. Our witness becomes muddled.
The Image of the Invisible God
Paul draws the Colossians' eyes upward to see Christ in His supremacy.
In Colossians 1:15-18, he presents a breathtaking vision of who Jesus truly is.
Christ is the image of the invisible God -- Jesus told Philip, "He who has seen me has seen the Father." The invisible God has made Himself visible in Christ. Everything about God's character—His power, wisdom, goodness, and perfections—is fully revealed in Jesus.
Christ is the firstborn of all creation --This doesn't mean Jesus was created; He has always existed. Rather, it speaks to His supremacy and preeminence. By Him all things were created—everything in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities. Everything exists through Him and for Him.
Christ holds all things together -- This is where grief meets joy. In every circumstance—whether we're celebrating on the mountaintop or walking through the valley of the shadow of death—Christ holds us together. When we're crying, He holds us. When we're grieving, He sustains us. When we face trials with children or finances or health, He doesn't let go.
Christ is the head of the church -- Just as Adam's sin brought death to all humanity, Christ's righteousness brings life to all who are in Him. Because He is the head and we are His body, His victory becomes our victory. His resurrection guarantees ours.
The Gift of Reconciliation
Here's the heart of the gospel: we were enemies of God, but Christ has reconciled us through His blood.
Think about that. We weren't just distant from God or slightly off course. We were hostile, alienated, engaged in evil deeds. We were at enmity with our Creator—separated by a deep-rooted hatred of sin that stood between us and Him.
But through Christ's death on the cross, everything changed. Romans 5:10 declares, "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."
Reconciliation means bringing back together what has been separated. Through Christ's sacrifice, the barrier between us and God was demolished. The penalty was paid. The wrath was satisfied. Peace was made through the blood of the cross.
This isn't about being good enough or attending church long enough or having perfect Sunday school attendance. It's about being brought from death to life, from enmity to peace, from separation to union with Christ.
Living in Union with Christ
When Paul writes about being "in Christ," he's describing something revolutionary. It's not just a relationship—it's a union. Everything that is Christ's becomes ours: His death, His resurrection, His righteousness, His eternal life.
This union transforms how we face everything. We don't grieve as those without hope. We don't suffer in isolation. We don't walk through darkness alone. Christ holds us in every circumstance.
Our identity is no longer defined by our mistakes, our struggles, our political affiliations, or our accomplishments. Our identity is found solely in Christ. That's the only label that ultimately matters.
The Call to Worship
A.W. Tozer wrote, "The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever risen above its religion, and man's spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God."
Our view of Christ determines everything. When we see Him as supreme—as Creator, Sustainer, Reconciler, and Lord—our lives are transformed. Our worship becomes pure. Our joy becomes unshakeable. Our witness becomes powerful.
The question isn't just what we believe about Christ intellectually. The question is: Does our life reflect His supremacy? When trials come, do we demonstrate that He holds all things together? When the world pulls at us, do we remain anchored in Him?
"Christ is not valued at all unless He is valued above all." May we lift our eyes to see Him in His greatness, worship Him in His supremacy, and live as witnesses to His reconciling love.
Joy in grief isn't a contradiction—it's a testimony. It's the visible evidence that our faith isn't just theoretical. When we walk through valleys we never wanted to enter, when we face losses that shake us to our core, our response reveals what we truly believe about God.
The Witness of Our Lives
In the early church, the word for "witness" was martis—the root of our word "martyr." These believers understood something profound: their very lives were testimonies to Christ. Whether they lived or died, they proclaimed the gospel. They witnessed to His death, burial, and resurrection through their own willingness to suffer.
Today, we may not face martyrdom, but we are still witnesses. Every moment of our lives declares something about what we believe. When we take communion, we witness to Christ's sacrifice. When we endure hardship with faith, we witness to His sustaining power.
When we choose joy despite circumstances, we witness to His resurrection life within us.
The question isn't whether we're witnessing—it's what we're witnessing to.
The Danger of Devaluation
The church in Colossae faced a subtle but deadly threat. False teaching had crept in, not necessarily denying Christ outright, but devaluing Him. They became fascinated with Greek philosophy, cosmic speculation, and worldly wisdom. Christ became one truth among many, rather than the Truth that holds all things together.
As Augustine wrote, "Christ is not valued at all unless He is valued above all."
We face similar dangers today. The world constantly seeks to transform us rather than allowing Christ to transform us. We champion political positions more passionately than we champion Christ. We argue about worldly matters with more fervor than we declare gospel truth. We scroll through social media, absorbing the world's values, while our Bibles gather dust.
When Christ is devalued, our worship becomes impure. Our discipleship becomes compromised. Our witness becomes muddled.
The Image of the Invisible God
Paul draws the Colossians' eyes upward to see Christ in His supremacy.
In Colossians 1:15-18, he presents a breathtaking vision of who Jesus truly is.
Christ is the image of the invisible God -- Jesus told Philip, "He who has seen me has seen the Father." The invisible God has made Himself visible in Christ. Everything about God's character—His power, wisdom, goodness, and perfections—is fully revealed in Jesus.
Christ is the firstborn of all creation --This doesn't mean Jesus was created; He has always existed. Rather, it speaks to His supremacy and preeminence. By Him all things were created—everything in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities. Everything exists through Him and for Him.
Christ holds all things together -- This is where grief meets joy. In every circumstance—whether we're celebrating on the mountaintop or walking through the valley of the shadow of death—Christ holds us together. When we're crying, He holds us. When we're grieving, He sustains us. When we face trials with children or finances or health, He doesn't let go.
Christ is the head of the church -- Just as Adam's sin brought death to all humanity, Christ's righteousness brings life to all who are in Him. Because He is the head and we are His body, His victory becomes our victory. His resurrection guarantees ours.
The Gift of Reconciliation
Here's the heart of the gospel: we were enemies of God, but Christ has reconciled us through His blood.
Think about that. We weren't just distant from God or slightly off course. We were hostile, alienated, engaged in evil deeds. We were at enmity with our Creator—separated by a deep-rooted hatred of sin that stood between us and Him.
But through Christ's death on the cross, everything changed. Romans 5:10 declares, "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."
Reconciliation means bringing back together what has been separated. Through Christ's sacrifice, the barrier between us and God was demolished. The penalty was paid. The wrath was satisfied. Peace was made through the blood of the cross.
This isn't about being good enough or attending church long enough or having perfect Sunday school attendance. It's about being brought from death to life, from enmity to peace, from separation to union with Christ.
Living in Union with Christ
When Paul writes about being "in Christ," he's describing something revolutionary. It's not just a relationship—it's a union. Everything that is Christ's becomes ours: His death, His resurrection, His righteousness, His eternal life.
This union transforms how we face everything. We don't grieve as those without hope. We don't suffer in isolation. We don't walk through darkness alone. Christ holds us in every circumstance.
Our identity is no longer defined by our mistakes, our struggles, our political affiliations, or our accomplishments. Our identity is found solely in Christ. That's the only label that ultimately matters.
The Call to Worship
A.W. Tozer wrote, "The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever risen above its religion, and man's spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God."
Our view of Christ determines everything. When we see Him as supreme—as Creator, Sustainer, Reconciler, and Lord—our lives are transformed. Our worship becomes pure. Our joy becomes unshakeable. Our witness becomes powerful.
The question isn't just what we believe about Christ intellectually. The question is: Does our life reflect His supremacy? When trials come, do we demonstrate that He holds all things together? When the world pulls at us, do we remain anchored in Him?
"Christ is not valued at all unless He is valued above all." May we lift our eyes to see Him in His greatness, worship Him in His supremacy, and live as witnesses to His reconciling love.
Posted in Christ Supreme, Christ Supreme, Christ Supreme, Christ Supreme
Posted in Grief, Grief, Supremacy of Christ, Supremacy of Christ, Hope, Hope
Posted in Grief, Grief, Supremacy of Christ, Supremacy of Christ, Hope, Hope