07 September 2005 Devotion for Today “Christ in You” Colossians 1:24-29
24Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27To 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. 28We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Colossians 1:24-29 (NKJV)
The Apostle Paul discusses the great mystery of what happens when we become Christians and the whole process that goes along with receiving Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. We understand that there is a process that we go through. Even for someone who is quickly convicted of their need for Jesus and makes a commitment quickly, the process is still there. There is some basic knowledge and belief, and there is a response, which includes a declaration to God and, hopefully, publicly, in some way. There is repentance. There is baptism. And through it all, something rather incredible occurs. Paul refers to this as ‘Christ in you, your hope of glory’.
It’s important for us to understand that we’re involved, here, with something far more than a body of knowledge. We are in a relationship with Jesus, and with the Father, because of that relationship with Jesus. Understanding it all is impossible, but it’s apparent that some things happen. It’s apparent that, in essence, we take a giant step forward- that it’s as if we were one place, but once we accept Jesus that we, essentially, move forward to where He is, in relationship with the Father! We’re no longer back there- and Paul seems to be speaking about this, here- in referring to the past alienation and poorer position. But there has become a unity with the body of Jesus, which moves us forward!
I find this exciting to consider, and wonder if there isn’t quite some parallel with a wedding. I conducted one a couple of years ago that reminded me of this idea. The couple, who stood before me, was very committed to each other weeks before. They were engaged and anticipating their actual wedding and declaring of themselves before witnesses. They pledged certain things to God and to each other, and did this in front of many people! That takes some courage and maturity. But, it’s the right thing to do, too. Mentally, they were committed to each other long before we began the formal ceremony, but there was the dress, the flowers, the rings, the signing, the toasts, the food, and all that goes along with a wedding, anyway. Why? What difference did it make? Was it only a ceremonial thing that you could take or leave? Was it only something meant to enrich caterers and impoverish brides’ families? Some look at a wedding in that kind of way.
But, no! Something incredible happened, as does happen in matters of choice. The couple chose each other. In the course of our counseling, we discussed the question about whether they could marry anyone else. You’d be amazed at how many young couples answer, on the profile we use, that this is the only possible spouse for them- which reflects a great unreality with regard to marriage. Well, that is not where this couple was- they were/are quite realistic as they enter their marriage.
But, they made a choice. They have chosen each other. And they have formalized that choice. It wasn’t just a private choice, made in a corner with only them knowing, and possibly, in the privacy of their own individual minds, even doubting that. (That’s the danger of private and unannounced or un-formalized decisions! There’s the element of doubt and ease of backing away from!) However, through choice and decision, in essence, they took each other into their hearts and joined together spiritually and psychologically. Something amazing happened in the wedding ceremony and there is a mystery in that. The wedding is not a ‘take it or leave it’ affair, but is an important element of a sequence of decisions that have been made.
When we come to our relationship with God, through Jesus, something similar is happening. I know that using analogies can break down and can be imprecise. However, I believe it’s important to understand something of the importance of what God has us do.
So, Paul declares that Jesus is in us and this is our promise (hope) of glory. This is our guarantee of glory. Hope doesn’t mean some wishy-washy thinking, like “I hope I have time to make it to the grocery store before it closes.” We use that kind of jargon, which doesn’t express much more than wishful thinking. That is not the Christian hope. Christian hope involves certainty! Jesus in us is more than wishful thinking. Jesus in us is confidence and guarantee! Jesus in us is strength to make it through each day- kind of like the married couple gains strength to do what is necessary and right by being committed to and ‘in’ each other! But what’s it mean? I think we need to draw more encouragement than we might and trust the process and the greatness of God more than we do.
If you are saved and Jesus is living in you, then you are meant to live with confidence! You are meant to go forward with the expectation that you’ll do the right thing. IF you are serving only yourself and exalting yourself, then that’s a different situation and maybe you’re not converted. But if you’re living in the spirit of Romans 12.1, 2, then you’ll be tending to do the right things. Consequently, you can go forward without wasting all sorts of nervous and anxious energy on doubt and self-recrimination and worry. God is very near to you! He’s not far away from anybody, so for His children, He’s near and He’s cheering you on and drawing you to do the right things. He is encouraging you and He is forgiving you when you do stumble.
Have a blessed day!
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