THE UNITY OF ALL THINGS UNDER CHRIST

TUESDAY 12 OCTOBER 2021

The unity of all things under Christ, first of all, means that everything and creation in heaven and on earth revolve around Jesus Christ. Given the all-encompassing power by God, Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." So it's no surprise that everything under heaven and earth are coming together in Him. Therefore, well-purposed in Christ, God made known to us the mystery of His will, both spiritual and time (natural) realm, thereby covering all areas in which all of creation exists.

Reference: Ephesians 1:10 New King James Version (NKJV) "that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him."

With all wisdom and understanding, this is what God did: According to His good pleasure, He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, and let us in on the plans he took delight in making, and then, He set it all out before us in Christ. Now God's long-range plan is that everything would be brought together and summed up in Christ. And I mean everything in all of heaven, and everything on planet earth.

Now watch this: Gathering all things together in one under Christ will happen at the dispensation of the fulness of times. This does not speak of something that will happen just at a given point of time, because in the Greek rendering, the accurate expression Paul used is "times" not time. So by possibly connecting with apostle Paul's use of tense, it denotes an age that shows the kinds of things that will happen at the end in this world within a particular duration or period in time. Though we are, at the present moment, experiencing the signs of the times, we are yet to experience this divine plan in full. In other words, God's good pleasure, fully purposed in Christ, which is to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfilment - is gradually unfolding - to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

The book of Colossians, also known as Pros Kolossaeis, is a book that focuses on the supremacy of Christ. It says, "Christ, the Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together..." (Colossians 1:15-17 NIV). For this very reason, all things are considered or taken into account in Christ.

Beloved, we are in part of the dispensation of the fullness of time realm. That means, we are in the last days and so, time is still trying to divulge the complex knowledge of God's will and purpose for mankind and all of creation, and already, it has made some strides. Or haven't you noticed that the globe is almost becoming a single place? What about the news that there will be one world government? However, time hasn't told us the whole story of what is coming. But hear me: We are in the beginning part of the fullness of times, and when the times reach their fulfilment - God, according to the mystery of His will and in line with His good pleasure, will bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

Colossians 1:17 says, "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together" (NIV). And this is because all things - the whole creation in the world and beyond were made through Christ. What is the vital lesson behind this teaching? It takes wisdom to live in every moment of time in this present world. If we pay attention to the flow of times, we'll become conscious of what is happening, what could be and what will happen. Therefore, as Christians who have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, and stay rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith, as you are being taught, abounding in the truth with thanksgiving, so you won't be taken unawares (see Colossians 2:6-7 NKJV). Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Philippians 2:9; Ephesians 3:15; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 1:20.

Exuberant Declaration: Thank you Father for making known to me the mystery of your will, well-purposed in Christ, with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times. By the summing up of all things in Christ, both things in the heavens and things on the earth, you continually reveal your glory in all of creation. By the governing and inspiring influences of the Holy Spirit, I'm sealed in Christ to partake of His present and future glory as the heir of heaven in Jesus' Name, Amen!