JESUS CHRIST, the BEGINNING and the END

"And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely" (Rev 21:6). "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last" (Rev 22:13).

Devotion 9 of 20
TEMPTED TO EMBRACE ERRONEOUS CONCLUSIONS

Jesus is the Object of living, and the Reward for believing. At times, Satan tempts us to think other things are more important than Christ-- but they are not! He is "the Beginning." Illness tempts us to think health is more important that Christ. Opposition tempts us to think that ease and worldly acceptance are more important that Jesus. Poverty tempts us to think earthly wealth and security are more important than Jesus. But none of these things are true! Health is not preeminent. Jesus is! Acceptance by men is not preeminent. Jesus is! Wealth and security are not preeminent. Jesus is!

As rudimentary as this is, not much time will pass until the Tempter will try to convince you that something other than Jesus has the preeminence. When that time comes, you must remember that God Himself has determined that Jesus is preeminent in EVERYTHING! As it is written, "And He IS the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in ALL THINGS He might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell" (Col 1:18-19).

Nothing can neutralize this reality, add to it, or take from it! All adversarial powers are under Him. The angelic hosts are subject to Him. God will receive nothing that does not come through His Son. Nor will He give anything accept through Jesus. In everything He DOES have "the preeminence." All of heaven knows it. The powers of darkness and the regions under the earth know it. It is only on earth that there is any ignorance of this fact. Jesus HAS preeminence in all things.

What If?

In my opinion, were every preacher, teacher, song leader, and servant in the churches to grasp the truth of Christ's preeminence, most congregations would not recognize their services next Lord's day. It would probably introduce an element of confusion, as those in the flesh would find nothing to feed their lower natures.

May the Lord hasten the day when this happens in the churches! May the time soon come when procedure, tradition, fleshly acquaintance, and the quest for power are relinquished to Christ! May He be pleased with what is preached and taught. May He be honored and blessed by our songs and prayers!

There needs to be a transformation in the majority of the churches of our land. Jesus has been relegated to a subordinate position. The "church" has been placed before Him. Denominational dogma has superseded Him. The resolution of fleshly problems are given precedence over the acquisition of Jesus. Religious careers and institutional objectives compete with Him. But all of this has not changed the appointed role of the son of God. IN all things, He has the preeminence! Those who refuse to acknowledge that preeminence and conform their lives to it will be cast down by it.

May people be led into an acute awareness of the Son of God, Who is "the Beginning."

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ, I pray You will awaken multitudes in the professed church to the preeminence of Your Son.

-- Tomorrow: PREEMINENCE AND LORDSHIP --