Good morning,
When Saul, the hater of believers in Christ, received Christ, his life was completely changed, including his name to Paul. Everywhere he went he was telling them about Jesus Christ.
In the letter to the Colossians Paul encourages them to follow Christ. Paul prays for them, gives them seven portraits of the person of Christ, tells them how Christ reconciled them to Himself, how Christ dwells in them, and that they need to walk in Christ.
We will look at each of these areas during this week’s devotions.
Christ dwells within (1:24-27)
“Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: 25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God;26 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:”
Colossians 1:24–29 completes this passage with an emphasis on Paul’s work as a minister. According to Paul, his suffering is a service he offers for the sake of Christ, on behalf of the other believers. Paul’s work for the sake for the church is just that: work. He is striving, fighting, and ”toiling” on behalf of his faith. All the same, Paul recognizes that anything he accomplishes is only through the power given through Christ.
The “mystery” of Christ was both for Jews and Gentiles. In addition to mystery, Paul here notes God’s sovereignty, which is His perfect and all-encompassing knowledge and control. The revelation came only when God chose to make it happen. This mystery was “great” both in content and impact among the Gentiles, including to the Colossian believers.
The glory of this mystery “is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Christ came to earth and also now lives in those who believe. Interestingly, this is the one place in Paul’s letters he uses the explicit phrasing of Christ “in you.” He seeks to make the gospel message very personal for these Colossian Christians, whom he has never personally met. With Christ in you, as a saved believer, you have the “hope of glory.” In other words, a believer can be confident of eternity with Christ in heaven when he or she knows Christ is already in them now.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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