Christ … is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. Colossians 1:18 (NLT).

Christ alone is all-sufficient, all powerful, and complete. He alone is preeminent. He alone is over all, for all, and our all in all. And as such, Christ alone is the One you can live and die for.

There’s no preacher, priest, prophet, or person to compare with Christ. He alone is outstanding, outstrips and excels over all others. Here are two ways Christ is preeminent:

Firstly, Christ is preeminent in the Gospel message (cf. Colossians 1:1-12). The Gospel doesn’t centre on a doctrine, philosophy, or religious system – its focus is Christ. The Gospel is Christ and Christ is the Gospel. He is the “true message” (Colossians 1:5b CEV), “God’s grace” (Colossians 1:6 NIV), shows “you everything he wants you to do” and gives “wisdom and understanding” (Colossians 1:9 CEV), enables you to honour and please the Lord, do “good deeds” and helps you “know God even better” (Colossians 1:10 CEV), strengthens you with “His glorious power,” and makes you “patient and strong enough to endure anything” (Colossians 1:11 CEV), makes it possible for you to share “in what he has promised his people” (Colossians 1:12 CEV), and gives you a hope that “is stored up for you in heaven” (Colossians 1:5a NIV).

Secondly, Christ is preeminent in salvation (cf. Colossians 1:13-14). Our greatest problems aren’t terrorism, global warming, refugees or burdensome taxes. Our greatest problem is sin. Eliminate sin and we wouldn’t have problems. And that’s where Christ is preeminent, for there’s no one else who can save us from sin. There are four saving actions that Christ performs: He rescues “us from the dark power of Satan” and brings us into His “kingdom” (Colossians 1:13 CEV), “forgives our sins” and “sets us free” (Colossians 1:14 CEV).

Yes, Christ is preeminent and that’s why He expects to be paramount in our lives. There can be no half measures on our part. Satan rejoices when we give Christ prominence but not pre-eminence. If Christ isn’t Lord of all, He’s not Lord at all!