“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 preeminence” (vs18).
The Son must have the preeminence, the first place. He is God, the obedient Man, the creator, sustainer, and the Savior of His people (vs15-18). He did everything to honor God so that His elect church could be saved, paying for sins with His blood, and guaranteeing the right to eternal life by His obedience for us - “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (vs14).
He is exalted by the Father, and if we’re wise, then we’ll live for His glory too - “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 preeminence” (vs18).
God’s given Him the highest place, and if we’ve seen His salvation… knowing that He has made us inheritors of every good thing, and knowing the dignity of His greatness in who He is and what He’s done… then we’ll worship Him - “Giving thanks unto the Father, which has made us able to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love” (vs12-13).
Salvation isn’t merely agreeing that God’s exalting Him, it is willingly exalting Him yourself.
I was thinking of Mohammed Ali, the great boxing champion who called himself “The Greatest”. Imagine, if from the heart, he ascribed glory to God in Christ Jesus? The joy, peace, and honor of his ambition to satisfy the longing of God would have redounded to his eternal praise and brought unworldly peace to his heart (John 14:27). But, if we live to give first place to our ambitions, then we swim against the current of God, and we shall be put down, for none shall be exalted but Him.
If we believe that He is worthy by the forgiveness of sins that He accomplished, putting our trust in Him, then we live that He might be praised.- “For by [Christ] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities: all things were created by him, and for him” (Col 1:16) Now, relationships and strangers have meaning: it isn’t to praise ourselves or use people for our glory, but it is to help them see, in obedience to Christ, how great He is, so they might be saved. Obedience to Christ comes from the forgiven heart that confesses the worthiness of the Lamb, and in this, we honor God, and He blesses us both now and forever - “Who is the image of the invisible God, the [highest ranking] of every creature“ (vs15).
If you want the inheritance, then take Him freely, believing that He is the reason you’re blessed, and He only. Then, live to make His glory known, and God will be with you, His peace will rule you, and joy that the world cannot know will fill your heart.
Don’t seek your own glory. What have you done anyway? It is Christ who died, Christ who made all things, Christ who sustains all things, and it is Christ who SHALL be honored, no matter what men do or say down here. We can get mad at Christ and rebel against His glory in our lives, but He will use our foulness to save His elect, and then He’ll destroy us in hell. You have no option: live for Christ BECAUSE He died to give you God’s salvation, or die, because you deny the greatness of the Son, rebel against the rightful King, and then suffer for eternity.
God’s exalted the Son. What about you? Do you believe He’s worthy of praise, honor, and obedience, because He’s good?
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