"And He (Christ) 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" (Col 1:18). So what is meant by preeminence? Strong's Greek dictionary says the Greek word for preeminence means "to be first (in rank or influence)." We as Christians certainly would agree that Christ needs to be first and foremost in our lives. Since Christ "is the head of the body, The church," He has perfect right to that place of honor. Is Christ first in our lives?

For the true Christian, He needs to be and is first because we have received Him as Lord of our lives. Can He be Lord and not have control of our lives? No, the Greek word translated Lord means "supreme in authority, i.e. controller." So, Christ, the Preeminent One, is Lord of our lives. Just as all our bodily functions in the flesh are controlled by the head, so Christ Jesus controls each member in His church because He is the head. So, if He is not controlling us, we are not one of His members. May we always remember that Jesus Christ is Lord, which is not an assumption but rather it is a fact. Peter, in his great sermon on the day of Pentecost, in acts 2:36 said, "God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." "Christ" as the "anointed one," the "Messiah-Savior" and also "Lord" of all those He saved.
another thing to remember is that the Preeminent One is Lord in all authority, not simply among other authorities or even alongside of others. He is the only Lord to whom all others must submit, for His lordship is without limits or qualifications.

What inspired me to think on the Preeminent One was a sign above the entrance steps of a bus that said, "Watch your Head." I was impressed with the spiritual implications of that message. as Christians, we need to "watch our Head," Jesus Christ; for that is where our directions come from.

While that message was simply a warning to watch out that you did not bump your head when entering the vehicle, since the doorway was a little lower than regular doorways, yet we need to look up and watch our Head. The message was on the steps, which speaks to the truth that while we are walking on this earth, we need to look up to our Head for directions to know how to walk in this life. "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb 12:2). So, if He is the beginning of our Christian life and the end also, then He needs to be the
Preeminent One in between as well.

Jesus said that when certain "things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21:28). We believe the signs are pointing to the consummation of the Church age when Christ, the Preeminent One, will return to receive the Church—His body—unto Himself.

Christ, the Preeminent One, is Lord of the Church. He loves and longs for His bride, the Church, but He does not force anyone to be a part of the church. It is a totally free and voluntary choice. but, sad to say, the vast majority of people today do not call Him Lord. Many would like to have Him as Savior but not as Lord of their lives. eventually, He will be seen as Lord by everyone; but for most, it will be too late. "For it is written, as I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God" (rom 14:11).

The blessing is experienced by willingly serving Him as our Lord today. To have Jesus as Lord of our lives there must be obedience! To say "Lord, Lord," is easy but it takes a changed and willing heart to obey Him as Lord.

Is Christ, the Preeminent One, truly preeminent in your life? If Jesus in not first, who is?

- Myerstown, PA