For by him all things were created, 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.

Colossians 1:16

Christ is the focus of the apostle’s gaze in this text. He begins a dissertation on the surpassing excellencies of Christ from verse 15-22. I want to focus our attention right toward the beginning of this beautiful section to focus on one key phrase. That is the statement “all things are created through him and for him”

What does it mean that all things are created for the Son? What exactly does this text convey about the Son?

Let us start by understanding the first portion of this verse. The reference to things in heaven and on earth speak to the entirety of creation. Through Christ, all of creation was made from the stars in the sky to every speck of dust. John 1:3 says,

All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.

Without Christ, the universe would not exist. He is the wisdom of God, the eternal Logos. This very fact speaks to his deity.

Despite covering all of creation as under the creative power of Christ, Paul narrows down our attention. He says, “whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities…” Matthew Henry makes the comment, “He speaks here as if there were several orders of angels: Whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers, which must signify either different degrees of excellence or different offices and employment.”

The Colossian church was infiltrated by angel worship. Rather than worshiping Christ people began exalting the angels. It is amazing to see how even today many cults will diminish Christ to the position of an angel while exalting angels. The Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus is Michael the Archangel while the Mormons say He is the brother of Satan. This is grossly heretical.

The Holy Spirit is inspiring Paul to polemicize this idolatrous practice by making something abundantly clear: Christ is the Creator and Lord of the angels. They exist for Him. He is by right of being the Creator more worthy of worship. It is Christ who created the archangel Michael, it is Christ who created Satan. They exist to glorify Him. Paul ends this section by making it clear, no matter how high and wonderful any created thing might be it only exists to serve the Son. Thus all thing made by Him are made for His pleasure.

Matthew Henry puts it this way:

Being created by him, they were created for him; being made by his power, they were made according to his pleasure and for his praise. He is the end, as well as the cause of all things.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentary, Colossians 1

We are not the center of our own lives, that position belongs to Christ. If mighty angels exist at the whim of Christ to serve him and bring him glory what do you think of your life? Are you more holy, beautiful, or powerful than the angels? Are you of a purer heart? If they are able to stand before God what is your life? We are not even worthy to see God because of our sin! Do we think we exist for any greater purpose? Every other purpose we make for ourselves fail in comparison to bringing Christ praise.

Do not have lofty thoughts of yourself, you exist to glorify Christ and for nothing else. You will inevitably glorify Christ. You will either bring Him glory by displaying His grace poured out on repentant sinners or you make know the glory of His righteous wrath poured out on the wicked in the eternal fires of hell.

Psalm 2 says:

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

What will it be? Will you kiss the Son or perish in His wrath? Will His wrath be kindled against you or will you take refuge in Him? You might ask, “how can I kiss Him?”  “How is He to be my refuge?” The answer is clear, repent of your sin and believe in Him. Trust in His death and resurrection and leave your sin behind to follow Him. Weary sinner, surrender in your rebellion. Place your faith in Christ for the righteous shall live by faith (Romans 1:16-17, Gal 3:10-14).

Come to Christ. Put your faith in Him. Leave your sin behind and live for Christ. You will find Christ to be a faithful Shepard, a righteous King, a compassionate Master. If you are lukewarm repent of your lukewarmness and live for Christ. Living to bring Christ glory is the purpose for why you have been made. It is a purpose you cannot avoid. May you fulfill this purpose in the joy of fellowship with God rather than being the object of His wrath. Turn to Christ and live.