Humble Yourselves Before Him
Charles Simeon (1759—1836) was an English Anglican pastor, author, and theologian. After his conversion, he pastored Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge, faithfully preaching the gospel week-by-week until his death in 1836.
Charles Simeon writes on Colossians 1:16-18 in a sermon entitled The Glory of Christ:
“By him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, risible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the Head of the body, the Church: who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence” (Colossians 1:16-18).
1. Contemplate the excellency of your incarnate God
Survey the heavens, with all the diversified and stupendous bodies contained in them: and inspect the minutest insect, which nothing but the greatest magnifying power can render visible: and see, both in the one and in the other, his creating hand, and his preserving power. Then say with yourselves, ‘The Maker of all these things is my Friend, my Beloved, yea, my very Head, one with me; not merely as a subject is one with his political head, the king, but as any member of my body is with my own head. Not any powers which I myself possess are more used for the good of my own members, than all the powers of this Saviour are for me.
For me he became incarnate: for me he died upon the cross: for me he rose, and ascended up where he was before: for me he orders every thing in heaven and earth: for me “he has prepared a place” in the mansions of his Father: and for me is he shortly coming again, to “take me to himself, that where he is I may be also.” Shall I cease for a moment to think of him? Shall any thing for a moment stand in competition with him?’ My dear brethren, let him have the pre-eminence: let him be seated on the throne of your hearts: let every Dagon fall before him: and let him “be all your salvation and all your desire.”
2. Awake to the performance of your duties towards him
Are you not ashamed that this adorable Saviour has held so low a place in your esteem, that even the most contemptible things that can be imagined have had a pre-eminence above him? There is not a base lust which has not more power to sway you, than love to him, or zeal for his glory. There is not a vanity which you have not more desired, nor an object whom you have not more feared, nor a device you have not more relied upon, than he. Would you not have thought it impossible, that a Being so glorious in himself, and so gracious unto you, should ever be so despised by you, as he has been?
Oh, humble yourselves before him; and now set yourselves with all diligence to honour and to glorify his name. Let it no longer be a doubt, either in your own minds or in the minds of any that behold you, who has the preeminence in your souls. Give yourselves wholly to him: live altogether for him: let your daily and hourly inquiry be, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” In short, endeavour to begin the life of heaven whilst you are yet upon earth. When once you are there, “You will follow the Lamb whither-soever he goeth.” Follow him now: follow the footsteps which he trod on earth: follow him, in your affections, to the highest heavens: and look forward to the time when he, who has ascended as your Forerunner, shall come again to take you to himself, and “seat you with him upon his throne, as he sitteth on his Father’s throne.”