Colossians 1:11–20
What are the limits of salvation in Jesus Christ? What are the limits of Christ’s power? Paul’s letter to the Colossians offers a maximalist perspective on the salvific power of Jesus Christ with beautiful language that is often overly spiritualized. We begin with how Jesus rescues us, redeems us and forgives us. Yet this power is never limited to invisible things.
The status quo loves to overly spiritualize Jesus. If Jesus only saves us in our hearts, Jesus has nothing to say to present structures of power, like the Prison Industrial Complex. Once the power of Jesus becomes material, the shadow of the cross starts to fall on the status quo.
Do Christians want the shadow of the cross to fall on status quo powers and structures of power? The less power Jesus has, the fewer ways that Christ’s followers are called to respond to structures of power and oppression in this world. It is easier to live an overly spiritualized life if it means you don’t need to take a stand on status quo structures of power.
If Christ’s redemption is total and Christ’s power is total, then Christ’s call on Christians to seek out justice in this world does not stop at the doors of our homes or the doors of our churches. This means that we should take courage from Christ as we seek the justice of God in this world. Christ’s power is not limited by the status quo, so Christians should not blindly accept it. We should strive for the reign of God here and now.
Wilson Pruitt is a Methodist pastor and translator in Spicewood, TX.