Excerpt — E.J. Waggoner
In Colossians 1:11-19 we read, "Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness, giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers: all things were created by him, and for him, and he is before all things and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell."
The apostle presents Christ as the one through whom we have redemption--why? Because by Him were all things created. This thought will settle the objection that is so often raised in connection with the Sabbath, that redemption is greater than creation, because redemption is creation, and it is and can be nothing else. It is the same power and the same thing.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the word of the Lord is righteousness declared in us.
Speaking this universe into existence, was an act of creation and speaking righteousness into the heart of man that has a wicked heart is also an act of creation.
Christ is set before us as the Creator that we may know His power to redeem. And the way in which Christ is set before us is by the word of His power.
The Sabbath day is the day that calls to remembrance God's wonderful works. In that day we are to meditate more especially than upon any other day on the works of the hands of God. As upon that day we meditate upon the work of His hand and the wonderful power that is exhibited in the universe, so also do we meditation upon His power to save us from sin, for it is the same power throughout.
That is why children from their earliest years should be taught to look upon creation as the power of God. If this is done, principles will be imbedded in their minds that no infidel sophistry can change.
In Colossians 1:11-19 we read, "Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness, giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers: all things were created by him, and for him, and he is before all things and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell."
The apostle presents Christ as the one through whom we have redemption--why? Because by Him were all things created. This thought will settle the objection that is so often raised in connection with the Sabbath, that redemption is greater than creation, because redemption is creation, and it is and can be nothing else. It is the same power and the same thing.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the word of the Lord is righteousness declared in us.
Speaking this universe into existence, was an act of creation and speaking righteousness into the heart of man that has a wicked heart is also an act of creation.
Christ is set before us as the Creator that we may know His power to redeem. And the way in which Christ is set before us is by the word of His power.
The Sabbath day is the day that calls to remembrance God's wonderful works. In that day we are to meditate more especially than upon any other day on the works of the hands of God. As upon that day we meditate upon the work of His hand and the wonderful power that is exhibited in the universe, so also do we meditation upon His power to save us from sin, for it is the same power throughout.
That is why children from their earliest years should be taught to look upon creation as the power of God. If this is done, principles will be imbedded in their minds that no infidel sophistry can change.