Time Out! Devotions

Christ is the exact likeness of the unseen God. He existed before God made anything at all, and Christ himself is the Creator who made everything in heaven and earth, the things we can see and the things we can’t; the spirit world with its kings and kingdoms, its rulers and authorities; all were made by Christ for his own use and glory. He was before all else began and it is his power that holds everything together.

Colossians 1:15-17

This is one of the  strongest statements about the divine nature of Christ found anywhere in the Bible. Jesus is not only equal to God (Philippians 2:6), He is God (John 10:30, 38; 12:45; 14:1-11). He not only reflects God, but He reveals God to us (John 1:18; 14:9). He came from heaven, not from the dust of the ground (1 Corinthians 15:47), and is Lord of all (Romans 9:5; 10:11-13; Revelation 1:5; 17:14). He is completely holy (Hebrews 7:26-28; 1 Peter 1:19; 2:22; 1 John 3:5), and He has authority to judge the world (Romans 2:16; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:1).

Therefore, He is supreme over all creation, including the spirit world. We, like the Colossian believers, must believe in the deity of Jesus Christ (that Jesus is God), or our Christian faith is hollow, misdirected, and meaningless. This is a central truth of Christianity.

(from the Life Application Bible – Living Bible edition)