Christ in You; The Hope of Glory—Colossians 1:26-27
“The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:26-27)
As New Testament believers we have been given the best gifts ever! One of these awesome gifts is Christ living in us through the indwelling Holy Spirit. In fact, this is a profound mystery that was previously hidden for ages and generations but revealed to the Church. God saved the best for last!
The Mystery of Christ in You
Paul wrote to the church in Colosse because ideas had infiltrated the church and needed correction. One of the main heresies wreaking havoc in this congregation was the idea that Jesus was less than God, because of it they denied His true humanity and were teaching that a secret, higher knowledge above scripture was needed for salvation.
This is why Paul spent so much time in the first chapter of Colossians describing the superiority of Jesus (vs. 15-20). Showing that He created everything and now holds it in place (vs. 16-17), including humanities redemption (vs. 20). But Paul takes it a step further to reveal that he was commissioned to present the word of God in fullness to them (vs. 25), and the fullness was the mystery of Christ living in them (vs. 27). He went on to say in the next chapter, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority” (Colossians 2:9-10). Amazingly, Paul corrects them by declaring that everything they need for salvation is found in Christ and they’ve already been given fullness in Him because in Christ the mysteries and secret things of God are revealed.
Paul writes extensively about these mysteries in the New Testament, They were secrets not obvious to the understanding. In fact, the idea behind it is something that cannot be known unless God reveals it. In the New Testament this word, which is mystērion, occurs twenty-seven times. There were things hidden since the beginning of time that were only revealed when Christ came and only revealed to redeemed humanity. Christ living in us is one of them, which makes it extremely important!
The Hope of Glory
The Old Testament predicted that Gentiles would be offered salvation (Isaiah 45:2; 49:6; 52:10; 60:1-3; Psalm 22:27; 65:5; 98:2-3) but one of the mysteries revealed in the New Testament is that Christ would live in each member of the Church, both Jews and Gentiles, uniting them. This was previously unknown! As redeemed humanity we have the surpassing riches of Christ living in us, working in and through us! (John 14:23; Romans 8:9-10; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 3:16-19). Along with that, the indwelling Holy Spirit is the guarantee to believers of a future with God; it is our hope of glory! (Romans 8:11; Ephesians 1:13-14; I Peter 1:3-4).
Ephesians equates this to our downpayment, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession— to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14). Not only did God give us what we need for this world by sending Himself to live and work on the inside of us, but He wanted to make His intent of our future exceedingly clear by the possession of the promised Holy Spirit who is our hope and down payment for glory.
What a beautiful gift given in Christ Jesus. The questions naturally becomes, what should our response be? Paul’s response to this was to “proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ” (vs. 28). He labored for this message his entire life (vs. 29). Likewise our response is given with our lives, laboring to make His great name known. Being who He’s called us to be and being sensitive to respond to His leading and direction for our lives.
I am so thankful to be a part of this amazing revelation for the Church. Christ lives in us.Christ will live through us helping us in each moment. Today, I pray that you take some time to ponder this truth, to see it is a fresh and new way. May understanding come and may this truth bring incredibe blessing to you today!