...the Hope of Glory!

I invite you to read with me Colossians 1:26–27:

“…to present the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations, but is now revealed to His saints. To them God chose to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is: Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Paul tells us something truly amazing: there is far more to the Christian life than a religion to practise, a moral code to follow, a doctrine to defend, or even a hope directed only towards the future.

There is the presence of Christ within us now—yes, already in this life here on earth!

Paul speaks of a “mystery” that was once hidden but has now been revealed. This mystery is not a riddle reserved for a few initiated people. It is the revelation of God’s heart and purpose.

Through the Gospel, Christ does not merely save sinners from a distance. He comes to dwell within them today by His Spirit. This is the glorious richness of God’s grace.

We would already have been amazed if God had simply forgiven us, and deeply grateful if He had only received us as His servants. But the Gospel goes much further:

• The Lord of glory comes to dwell within those He has redeemed!

Are we truly aware of this?

Weak men and women, sometimes weary, discouraged or under attack, become a living temple in which Christ dwells.

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you?”
1 Corinthians 6:19

Paul then adds an essential truth:

• “The hope of glory.”

This means that our future does not depend upon our performance, our consistency, our inner strength or our religious merits. Our hope rests upon Christ Himself.

Because He is in us, the promised glory is not an illusion. It is certain!

This is also a word of great comfort.

We see our limitations, our weaknesses and our slow spiritual progress. We may be saddened by the condition of the world, by lukewarmness in the Church, by struggles within families and by the unbelief surrounding us.

Yet in the midst of all these things, God brings us back to this certainty:

• Christ lives in us!

It is His presence within us that gradually transforms our hearts, our thoughts, our desires, our reactions and our priorities. It is He who leads us along the path of sanctification.

The believer cannot produce holiness by his own strength. Rather, he must allow Christ to reign within him.

The more room Christ is given in our lives, the more pride retreats, the more our self-righteousness falls away, the more genuine love grows and the more the glory of God becomes our highest priority.

One day, what God has begun in us will be fully revealed. We will be with Christ, made like Him and living in the presence of the Father.

Therefore, my friends, let us not take this treasure lightly. Let us not live as though we were spiritually poor when Christ Himself dwells within us.

• Let us live out this reality!

May this word lift us up, purify us and encourage us:

The Christian’s hope is not fragile, because it bears a living name:

-- Jesus Christ, risen and glorified!

Franz