These three prepositions give us in the fullest way the place of the Son of God in relation to creation, so that every whisper of unbelief as to His divine dignity and glory must be hushed. "All things were created by Him." (Col. 1:16.) Here the source of all creation is given. It is divine, and Christ is the creator-therefore divine. It was in His own power that this was done; His self-existence and sufficiency are here asserted. This creation includes all beings and all worlds, things visible and invisible ; thrones, dominions, and powers. This is God.

"All things were created through Him." He was the divine instrument used in creation. God the Father and the Spirit were undoubtedly associated with the Sou in that work. The Son, however, was the executor of it all. "Without Him was not anything made that was made." Knowing His absolute divinity, we are in no danger now in learning His share in the work. He was not the highest of created beings, who was the mouthpiece of God; but God Himself.

"All things were created for Him." He who was once crucified, who is still rejected by the world, will one day be manifested as Lord over all. All creation will own Him then. The whole universe exists for Him.

And it is of this blessed, adorable One that we can say, "In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins," and "This is my beloved, and this is my friend." For He has become man, died, and risen again, that He might be that to us.