June 28, A Simple Reminder - Christ in You
Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:27
Paul calls the above truth “the glorious riches of this mystery.”
“That God’s presence should dwell in the heart of a child of Abraham was”, as F. B. Myer explains, “a marvelous condescension; that He would find a home in the heart of a gentile was a most incredible announcement indeed.”[1]
“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 1:27)
The Scriptural context of Colossians 1:27 reveals phrase upon phrase of the majestic description of Christ Himself (Colossians 1:15-20), a powerful and succinct summary of the Gospel of Jesus unto salvation (Colossians 1:21-23), and then a brief explanation by Paul of his own ministry of the Gospel to the gentiles (Colossians 1:24-29). Within this explanation of his ministry, Paul referenced the gospel in the context of a mystery. Paul referenced “mystery” 21 times in His epistles, and Ephesians 1:9-10 serves as a summary of exactly what this mystery expressed:
“He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”
Paul explained the fulfillment of this mystery in Colossians 1:27, “Christ in you.”
“Christ in you” is a fact. He dwells in your heart by faith. He is in you not by your merit, not by your religious ancestry, and not by your persistent and busy efforts to serve Him. He is in you by His grace, and through your faith in Him. By believing in Him, you have thrown open your whole life to Him. And, deep within you the Holy Spirit of Christ dwells – Christ Himself. This is indeed the most glorious fact that could ever be spoken over your life.
“Christ in you” is never realized by feelings. You may not feel that Christ is in you. Often amid the storms of this present life, amid the temptations that rage against your commitment to Christ, and amid the assaults that the lies of the enemy can have upon your own mind, you may feel anything but “Christ in you.” Nevertheless, this is fact – He is within you. And His residence in you is deep, below your own thoughts and imaginations, and below your own feelings and emotions. He is there. The God-shaped void has been filled – perfectly filled, for He is there.
“Christ in You” displays the glory of God. The revelation of the unseen God to human eyes is always a demonstration of His glory. This was so at the burning bush, this was so on the Mount of Transfiguration, and this will be made full in us when we are revealed to the Father by the Son on the day of our arrival into His presence. And “Christ in you” demonstrates the definite assurance of this glory, as He more and more becomes the outward identity of this inner reality:
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
So, today, be encouraged. Through your response of faith to the Gospel, Christ is in you. He is the hope of glory. Your past, your present, and most assuredly your future has become consumed by Him. He is your identity. Today, live in that hope.
Blessings.
READ
Read Colossians 1:1-29 and be encouraged by “Christ in you.”
[1] F. B. Myer, The Secret of Guidance, p. 19.
