Christ in You – Colossians 1:26-27
“Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”
Recently this verse has come to my mind several times while preaching, and I’ve quoted it in passing. This morning my mind is settled on it and I’d like to do more than just make passing comments.
Paul referred several times to a revealed, or manifested mystery. He is speaking specifically about the gospel and what the gospel informs us about. Prior to the conception and birth of the Lord Jesus it was almost altogether unimaginable that the eternal Son of God would become man. The Old Testament prophesied of that truth, but it was hidden. To most Gentiles that lived prior to the New Testament age the prophesies themselves were hid – they never read, or heard about them. To the Jews who had them, it was such a foreign concept that God would become man that when He did, they rejected Him.
However, Paul said, “…great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh” (1 Timothy 3:16). The mystery was great, but for you and me in some fashion that mystery has been made manifest. We may not understand all the intricacies of how it occurred, but we know the truth is that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God came in the flesh. He was conceived in a virgin’s womb by the power of God, He was born at Bethlehem, lived a faithful life of complete obedience to His Father in heaven, then at age 33 He gave His life a ransom for us.
So the mystery hidden from generations of people through ages of time is now clear, revealed, or manifest to his saints. Paul continues in verse 27 to tell us that God would make known to His saints what are the “riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory!” The mystery revealed is wonderful, but the contents of the mystery are rich! What’s the content of that mystery? That Christ is in you, and He being in you is the hope of glory.
The Bible is replete with expressions that we’re in Christ, notice with me several:
- Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Because we are in Christ, we are not condemned with the penalty of Adam’s sin, or the sins of our own doing.
- Romans 12:5 – “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” Because we are in Christ, we being many individuals are really one body.
- 1 Corinthians 1:2 – “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:” Because we are in Christ, we are sanctified and called to be saints.
- 1 Corinthians 1:30 – “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” Because our Father placed us in Christ, Jesus has been made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption!
- 2 Corinthians 2:14 – “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” Because we’re in Christ, God will cause us to always triumph!
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” When we’re born again, we’re in Christ in a vital, real way that we can feel within our soul!
- Ephesians 1:3-4 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” Because we were chosen in Christ before the world began, we have all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in the Lord Jesus.
- 2 Timothy 1:9 – “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” Before the world began, we were given salvation, thus now having spiritual life (holy calling) because it was given to us in Christ! No wonder we have no ability to save ourselves, it was God’s “own purpose and grace” to ensure that before He made the world.
So we see what we have in Christ (and this is just a sampling), but the other side of the coin is that when we’re born of the Spirit of God, we now have Christ in us. What a blessing to be in Him, and what a treasure that He is in us. He abides in us, resides in us, never leaves us. So no matter who, or what is trying to overcome us, they cannot ultimately be successful because Jesus resides in us, and He’s the hope of glory. The very essence of what hope is lives in us, the very personification of hope lives in our hearts! Thus we can rightfully hope for the great treasures of God’s blessings now, and in the world to come!
As Paul again said in 2nd Corinthians 2:14, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ!” Remember, you are more than a conqueror through Him that loved you!
May the blessings our Lord Jesus be with your minds and hearts through this day.
Love,
Br. Chris