Colossians 2:9-10

Colossians 2:9-10    For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority (NIV).

   For people like me who did not grow up in a Christian family or going to a church, the proclamation of the deity of Christ can seem perplexing at first.  For example, hearing a few things about Jesus in my youth, especially at Christmas time, I learned Jesus is the Son of God.  Logically I assumed Jesus was a step down from God, otherwise I figured He would be called “God.”  I did not know then “Son of God” was a term fitting for the Messiah, the incarnate Savior.  Yet as a new Christian when reading the New Testament for the first time, I took notice Jesus said He was one with the Father.  Then I consistently learned and accepted the full Scripture teaching of what we call the Trinity.  And Jesus was fully human and fully divine.  For certain people threatened by His power throughout the ages, starting with many Pharisees, they have denied the divinity of Christ.  That continues today with some people saying Jesus is only a “son” of God, and not fully divine.  Jesus truly claimed divinity in John 8:58!
   And as God, Jesus is the Supreme ruler over all.  Jesus gives free will.  I am always humbled by the statement Jesus made to the twelve apostles after many disciples decided not to follow Him.  “’You do not want to leave too, do you?’ Jesus asked the Twelve” (John 6:67 NIV).  The fact that disciples turned away from Him is not teaching the loss of salvation because Christ had yet to make the sacrifice on the cross and there was yet to be a permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  This question does reveal Jesus was not dictating anyone to follow Him.  Yet though people and angels are allowed to choose what they will do, no one, in the spiritual realm or human, has control over God.  God, being three Persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is all powerful and the Supreme ruler.  He is the LORD God Almighty.
Hunter Irvine