Christ is All. Colossians 3:11. Greeks in the Roman Empire saw everyone else as more or less uncivilized. The Jews saw themselves as superior because they were privileged and favored by God to be His chosen people on earth. Through Him, the Messiah would come to rule the nations of the world. In Christ, the distinction between Jews and Gentiles has been eliminated. Another separation, "circumcision and uncircumcision,” was also removed because Jewish laws no longer apply to God's people. Differences and divisive religious barriers are no longer a concern in God's church.
Culture is also not a barrier. Those who were not in the Roman Empire or under Greek influence were as significant in God’s sight as anyone else despite their cruelty and injustice. Barbarian and Scythian people, who had been considered low and lawless, were equals in Christ with every other child of God. God’s grace reaches everyone, and Christians are all on the same terms with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Even slaves and free men, who represented a major division within the Roman Empire, of which Colosse was a part, were united in Christ. Philemon and Onesimus would have been a prime example of this to the Colossian believers as they gathered in assembly meetings to share the apostle's teachings, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. Christian fellowship breaks down social and cultural barriers. Our unity is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the “All,” and it is His presence that binds us "in all.” He is every believer’s “All” as Lord and Savior, and “in all” who are sanctified; He is our Hope, Joy, Happiness, and the beginning and end of everything in our lives.
When Christ is all, barriers fall away, prejudices vanish, nationalities blur, and occupations become insignificant. Christ is all when we learn the truths He wants us to understand from His Word. Christ is all when we acknowledge Him as Lord and dedicate ourselves to doing what He commands. Christ is all when He is the focus of our praise, both privately and publicly. Christ is all when we obey His words without hesitation or resistance.
When we extend our hand of fellowship to those with whom we share our faith, Christ is all. When we care for the needy, Christ is all. When we gather to worship the Lord, serve Him, learn from Him, and share about Him, Christ is all. When we pray together as a local body of believers and say “Amen” at the end of public prayers, Christ is all.
Christ is everything to the new Christian whom God has saved. Christ is everything to the thankful person who appreciates every good and perfect gift that God gives. Christ is everything to the humble people of God when they bow to pray with supplication, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving. Christ is everything to the aged believers at the end of life's day who have lived for years in fellowship with God and His people.
As he works, the farmer knows that Christ is all when he has labored daily “as to the Lord” and waits for the reward of his effort. He understands it is God who gives the increase. The fisherman on the ocean knows that Christ is all, even on days when he catches nothing. He remains faithful to his calling because he knows that God has the right to give or withhold so His blessings will not be taken for granted. The parents raising children understand that Christ is all, even when we wonder about the outcome of how our children have chosen to live. In his message, the preacher knows that Christ is all, so after delivering what God wanted him to tell the people, he will water the word with prayer and rest in his soul, leaving the outcome of his efforts to God.