The Preeminence of Christ: How it Addresses our Trauma, Sin, and Suffering

“And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.” This excerpt pertains to the Nicene Creed, which was established to counteract the heresy of Arianism, a doctrine asserting that Christ was a created being. The Apostle Paul engaged in this same struggle during his initial Roman imprisonment, during which he authored the letter to the Church in Colossae. However, why is it so crucial to acknowledge the preeminence of Christ? Although numerous reasons may be presented, I shall concentrate on three particular aspects: Trauma, Sin, and Suffering.  

The sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, and the centrality of Christ encompass all facets of life. If this statement holds true, we may seek comfort, reconciliation, and strength in these elements during times of distress. By concentrating on the gospel, we possess the answers necessary for the various forms of human brokenness we may encounter in this life. The objective of this article is to illustrate how the preeminence of Christ, as articulated in Colossians 1:15-23, enhances our understanding of the transformative power of the gospel.

A Framework

This passage begins by declaring the divinity and the humanity of Christ. Peter Martyr Vermigli puts it this way, “We acknowledge and confess him as the only Son of God, truly God and truly man. As to his divine nature, he has no brothers. He is the one and only divine Word of whom we speak. Also among men—even though he has many brothers by adoption—he stands alone in the excellence of his grace, most pleasing to God.”  In verses 15-17, one observes Christ’s authority over the entirety of the created order, as He embodies the image of God Himself. Given that Christ represents the perfect image of God, it follows that He is sovereign over all creation, as all things were created by Him, through Him, and for Him.

This passage underscores the centrality of the gospel in all dimensions of life. Verses 19-20 elucidate the work of Christ on the cross and its transformative power to effect reconciliation for those in need. John Owen articulates this concept as existing within two distinct families: the sinful lineage of Adam and the righteous lineage of God through Christ. In our sinful state, we remain affiliated with the family of Adam; however, through Christ, we are bestowed with a new Head. “This new head, wherein God has gathered up all things in heaven and earth into one, one body, one family, on whom is all their dependence, in whom they all now consist, is Jesus Christ the Son of God incarnate (John Owen).” The gospel is not merely concerned with the act of conversion; rather, it encompasses every facet of life, effecting transformation and renewal within us in the likeness of Christ.

In verses 21-23, Paul explains how this unfolds throughout our lives, even amid our trauma, sin, and suffering. Paul says, “You who were once against God, have been reconciled to God, through Christ’s death, and are now presented holy and blameless before God!” This is the hope of the gospel for which Paul says he has been made an ambassador, and we should cling to this hope. In Christ, we have all we could ever need to thrive in this life and the next.

Application to Trauma, Sin, and Suffering

Trauma

Trauma can leave individuals with a profound sense of devastation, as if their lives have been irrevocably shattered, rendering them feeling incapable of restoration. However, it is essential to acknowledge the fundamental truth regarding our trauma: He (Christ), who is the Creator, possesses the power to restore us. Jean Daille says it this way, “For none was able to repair us but he who first made us; and the hand alone which created us could restore us to that blessed state from whence we had fallen by sin.” Jesus predates all creation, and in Christ, all aspects of existence are cohesively sustained, including humanity. True restoration is not merely a possibility; rather, within the framework of the gospel of grace, it is progressively manifesting itself. This constitutes our hope.

Sin

Upon conviction, sin frequently engenders a profound sense of guilt and shame; however, through Christ, genuine reconciliation becomes attainable, liberating us from the condemnation of our sins (Rom. 8:1). A core belief that assists in alleviating the shame and guilt associated with sin is the doctrine of justification. In verses 19-22, this is what Paul is trying to help us understand in light of Christ. Through the crucifixion, Christ has initiated the process of reconciliation with God for all who choose to believe. In Christ, we are adorned in the perfect righteousness of Christ, rendered holy and blameless before God. We have received new identities by which to live. In Christ, the notion that “once an addict, always an addict’ is transformed; instead, it becomes, “Once an addict now washed in the blood of Christ, fully justified, renewed, and sanctified.”

Suffering

Consequently, due to the preeminence of Christ, as the firstborn of the dead and possessing all authority and superiority, it can also be stated that Jesus transcends any and all suffering that individuals may experience.  Lancelot Ridley says this, “The Greek says he is the beginning and the first begotten of the dead, as you would say he is beginning, first fountain and author of our life, health, resurrection and salvation, having all goodness in himself and distributing it to others, and therefore not without a cause he is chief in all things, to him is due the chief place in all things, for he is equal to the Father in deity, substance and effect, in power and might and in all things.” Jesus Christ has emerged victorious over death and suffering, and through Him, we share in this triumph, even amidst our current afflictions. Only in Christ can genuine healing occur amid the pain and suffering that we currently witness.

Remain Steadfast

All of this underscores the exhortation presented by Paul in verse 23, which urges us to remain steadfast and anchored in the gospel that has been proclaimed globally. In the absence of the gospel, the very fabric of our lives disintegrates, leaving us to contend with the aftermath independently. We have no other option; it is Christ or nothing. Engaging in journaling, establishing a routine of daily prayer, and committing God’s promises to memory function as effective methods to assist us in this endeavor. In all our activities, we must consistently remind ourselves of our hope in the gospel on a daily basis.

Conclusion

Only through the supremacy of Christ are we granted the opportunity for renewal amidst the trauma inflicted by a fractured world, reconciliation of our sinful hearts with our holy God, and the fortitude to endure the myriad sufferings present in this life. Consequently, as biblical counselors, we are compelled to maintain Christ at the forefront of our counseling practices; for only through Him can we attain salvation and restoration. Colossians 1:15-23 serves as an excellent passage to explore with a counselee who is experiencing various forms of suffering, facilitating their connection with God and empowering them to persevere. While I have only touched upon a few aspects, this passage offers a profound depth. I encourage you to delve deeper into this scripture and utilize it to assist those in need.

Historic Creeds and Confessions. Electronic ed., Lexham Press, 1997.