Today's Passage - Col 1:17-19

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Colossians 1:17-19   He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.  For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him...   Why is Jesus the head of the church?  First, because He is the "firstborn among the dead."  The "firstborn" doesn't imply order in time, but it's an assurance to us.  If Lord Jesus can resurrect from death and reveal with power that He is the Son of God, He can certainly reveal His power in conquering the authority of sin and death.  Therefore, all of us who are in Christ can also experience the power of resurrection of Lord Jesus.  We are the Lord's church, the Lord's body, and since Christ died for us and redeemed us with such heavy price, He will be our head and ruler, and we will enjoy the fruit of victory with Him!   We can proclaim victory against the enemy because we are connected to the victorious Lord.  Because of His victory, we can proclaim victory again the enemy.  Many believers don't understand this truth, and they often life in the bondage of sin or their old habits.  We had a rabbit at home before and we kept it in a cage all the time.  One time I felt graceful and open the cage door and let it out, but the rabbit would not come out, just as if the door was still shut.  Only after a while did it dare to try coming out from the cage.  In the same way, many believers have long being in the bondage of sin, and don't understand that in Christ they are already free.  Lord is the one who was firstborn from resurrection, and He will guarantee that everything in Him will experience the freedom of victory.   Second, because "all his fullness dwell in him."  Jesus Christ is the source of abundance, for life originates from Him, and strength and hope are also from Him.  The Bible says that He is the tree and we are branches, so we must be connected to the tree in order to bear fruit.  None of the virtues in Christ came to us at birth.  Many try very hard to love, but at the end just get more upset; many try very hard to persevere, but just eventually get fed up.  What is your missing virtue?  Tenderness, humility, submissiveness or self-control?  Are you willing to come before the Lord, and ask Him to fill you once again?      Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord Jesus, I thank you because you are the head of the church.  You resurrected from death for us and you gave us authority to conquer sin.  I still see many shortcomings in myself and I really need to be connected to you every day.  I ask that your abundance will flow through my life, and change me to become a place where you enjoy dwelling in.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!