Before All Things. Colossians 1:17 Once, before there was this small city I call home, my ancestors came from Europe to this country and started a new life in a foreign land. Once, this nation had no name or constitution, but God was here and arranged things so I could experience salvation. Once, there were nations in Europe, and the Bible was printed on a press; before the Dark Ages covered that continent, believers were oppressed. Once, before Rome ruled and many believers were martyred for their faith, God was here and sent His Son as the Redeemer to take our place.
Before the shepherds hurried to see Jesus lying in the hay, before His Star shone over Bethlehem, when wise men came to see the only one born a king; before Mary and Elizabeth, the prophets, and the kings knew Jesus was to come to earth as God in human flesh; God was present and planned history so He could bring salvation to lost sinners. Before that, Israelites wandered in the wilderness, even before they were slaves. Before Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to save their family, Abraham had offered Isaac, who lay on the altar with wood, and God was present and had given promises so they could believe His Word.
Before Noah built an ark or Job became a successful farmer, Abel offered his sacrifice, and Cain became the first murderer. Before Adam and Eve sinned by eating the forbidden fruit, God was present and had designed this way for His truth to unfold for us. Before an eagle flapped its wings, before a cow bent to eat grass, before God created the herbs with seeds so they could last, before there was a sun and moon, before there was even light, God existed, and His voice could be heard speaking into the night. Before the farthest reaches of my imagination, God has eternally existed. With all His attributes intact, He designed the plan of redeeming grace. In His mind, there were plans reaching far into the future. God is still here, maintaining everything so that these plans might be fulfilled.
The Lord Jesus Christ is “before all things” in both time and supremacy. His oversight and authority prevent everything from collapsing, from galaxies and rapidly moving stars in space to the small things we can’t see. The momentum of moving parts in our own bodies, all unseen, is kept in check by His design and balanced power. Sometimes, invading forces like cancer—caused by our fallen human nature and sometimes sin—disrupt the proper functioning of our internal systems. Christ caused and controls the universe, and He is its center because He created it for Himself.
Christ holds everything together, no matter what it is. From galaxies to atoms, there is a controlling power that belongs only to Him. Our Lord Jesus Christ unites both the physical and spiritual realms. Even the moral restraints common to humankind find their source in Him. However, man, in his heretical mind, diminishes and belittles the Lord of all to elevate "man." This attitude is the prevailing view almost everywhere, except among those redeemed and forgiven by His grace.