Is Jesus is God?

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Colossians 1:15-20 - The Supremacy of the Son of God

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Today we begin Paul's letter to the church in Colossae.  It's location is modern day Turkey.  Paul had never visited the church, but had received a report from Ephaphras, a fellow worker with him for the gospel. The presenting problem is that some were questioning the divinity of Christ.  They were suggesting Jesus might only be a man, albeit a good man.  We see in these verses Paul is very clear about the person and nature of Jesus.  
He makes these statements which solidify the divine nature of Christ. 
1. He is image of God, the first born over all Creation. I.e. he existed with God the Father before the Creation of the heavens and the earth. 
2. In Jesus were all things created whether seen or unseen.  They were created through him and for him.  Note: You would not say this about a human being. 
3. He is the firstborn from the dead and reigns over all. 
4. All of God's fullness dwells in him.  
5. God reconciled all things to himself through Jesus' death on the cross. Note: Jesus helped God reconcile all humankind to himself.  If Jesus was only a man he would not be able to play this role.  
You might say why is this so important?  Why is doctrine important?  The reason is Jesus' divinity is the linchpin of the Christian faith.  If Jesus was only human, he would have had to die for his own sins.  If Jesus was only human, he would have remained in the grave.  If Jesus is only human, Christianity is no different than any other religion each with their own revered prophet.

On personal note how great it is that Jesus, who is God, came to live among us.  He showed his deep love for all people he encountered, and he has that same love for you and I.  Without Jesus, God would just be an impersonal force to be feared.  We would have no assurance of our standing with God, or hope of eternal life.  Let's keep Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of Man in the forefront and not reduce him to just another good man or wise prophet.  He didn't give us that option, nor did he intend to.  

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