There were many mysteries hidden throughout the Old Testament. Although alluded to, God had not revealed all the secrets held close to His heart. As is the case still today. We, in this broken world could not fully comprehend His Will. Indeed we might try to thwart His will, believing we had a better plan. Yet, step by step, throughout the ages He revealed precisely what was needed. Deuteronomy 29:29 tells us: “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever.” One mystery found in the gospel message, “Christ in you, the hope of Glory” (Colossians 1:27). How rich a truth that is! Abounding in riches and power to every saint—every person who bows before Him, knowing that Jesus Christ is the only way, the truth, and the life.
Colossians 1 (NET): 26 that is, the mystery that has been kept hidden from ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. 27 God wanted to make known to them the glorious[au] riches of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Many believe the hope of glory is the hope of heaven one day. That is true. But Christ in you, the hope of glory I dare say is so much more. The abounding riches found in this mystery is almost more than we can comprehend. Therefore, my hope is that as we explore this, we will find a new fortitude, strength, and abiding joy to live a life worthy of Christ. That each of us can say that with this one mystery found we have found abounding riches greater than we could ever imagine.
The need for this One mystery to be found
Infiltrating the Colossian church were many heretics. These false teachers were infiltrating with such messages as Christ wasn’t really God. Certainly, He could not be a Savior or help one live a righteous life, some would teach. Then others taught Angel worship. Some taught works as a means of salvation, as though humans had not already failed miserably at trying to keep the law. Sound familiar? Do we not face the same critics and heretics? Furthermore, we within the church even face those who try to say, Christ saves us; but this life we must live in our power. Or some would say, we cannot ever hope to display His glory until we are in heaven one day, so why try?
Yet, as we look much deeper into this mystery found in the gospel message, we discover all of that is false. How often throughout his letters, Paul reminds us that our victory lies in this mystery found: Christ in you, the hope of glory. You might say, well that is fine and good; but it is the glory of one day, far away when I stand before Him in my transformed body. Then, yes, the victory is mine. However, are we to live defeated until then? Jesus said otherwise.
One Mystery found with abounding riches now
Jesus prayed, “20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who [j]will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me (John 17 NKJV)
Did you get that? This is here and this is now. “And the glory which You gave Me, I have given them.” (Have given, not will give one day.) He goes on, “that they may be one just as We are one: I in them and You in Me: that they may be made perfect in one” What are the results of that? “And that the world may know that You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me” If that is only one day in heaven, how would the world see the results?
Perhaps, it may seem easier to focus on our imperfections and just say, “One day I will look like Christ, but not today.” I am guilty of the same; however, am coming to realize that I have underestimated the truth “Christ in me”. After all, if the power that raised Jesus from the dead empowers me, what am I doing not reckoning myself to be able to stand victoriously by allowing Him to do what I cannot do.
What is part of this mystery found in Christ?
Look further. You will discover we have more than just the power inside us. We also have all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge inside us.
“hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, [b]both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” Colossians 2:2-3 (NKJV)
Therefore, at the point of salvation, we have the Holy Spirit enter us to fill us with all the power, wisdom, knowledge, and righteousness of Christ. Wo! Then why do we live so defeated?
Ephesians 2 (NKJV):
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Since all of this is true, how to I release that power in my life? And what stands in the way of that power being released?
Steps to Releasing the Power of Christ in You
- Accept by faith this truth. Unless you believe that Jesus has the power to change your life here and now, you will fail. Jesus told the disciples, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 8:26).
- Reckon yourself dead to sin. This is a step of faith, plus it requires recognizing one’s pride that stands in the way of this. “10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, [a]reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts” (Romans 6:10-12 NKJV).
- Take time to study God’s word day and night. Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the [a]ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he [b]meditates day and night (Psalm 1 NKJV). - Also, noted above, be careful who you seek counsel of. (Psalm 1)
Furthermore
- Do not get sucked into agreeing with those who are angry and disgruntled. (Pray unceasingly when you need to be the light into the darkness. So that you don’t fall into the same darkness with them). (Psalm 1)
- Be quick to repent from sin. (8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.) I John 1:8-10
- Rely on the Power of the Holy Spirit and trust His guidance. (Romans 8:4 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit).
Beyond all that
I might recommend that you read regularly Psalm 1, Romans 8 and Ephesians until they penetrate your soul.
And note: one way to tell where you are at any given moment check your feelings against those that are present when fully in the spirit because the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23. When these are absent, it is time to pause a moment, pray and sing a song of praise and worship.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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DISCLOSURES
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
New English Translation (NET)
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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