Col.1:27 – To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

One of the problems with being around Christianity and its basic precepts is a tendency to become bored with the greatness of God. Hearing Bible truth for years without a sense of awe or a majesty can be catastrophic and has been for far too many people over the years. The one truth I am thinking of today is the one in today’s verse, it actually says that Christ lives inside of you (that is, if you are a Christian). The common thing we hear is “I prayed the prayer so Jesus lives inside of me now, I am good”. Really, if Christ is really in you then maybe there would be less apathy and more fire. What I am saying is that if the Spirit of Jesus Christ were to actually dwell in you I think it would be impossible to be casual about Christianity. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, the One who hovered over creation as the word was spoken in creation, the Spirit that moved in the life and ministry of Jesus, the Spirit that raised Christ up from the dead, and the same Spirit that fell on the followers of Jesus on the day of Pentecost; this is the One that lives in you? If Christ is really in you that is the greatest news imaginable, God Himself has made His home in us. Here is how the BELIEVER’S BIBLE COMMENTARY describes this verse.

“The particular aspect of the mystery which Paul is emphasizing in verse 27 is that the Lord Jesus is willing to dwell within the Gentile heart. Christ in you, the hope of glory. This was spoken to the Colossians, who were Gentiles. F. B. Meyer exclaims: “That He should dwell in the heart of a child of Abraham was deemed a marvelous act of condescension, but that He should find a home in the heart of a Gentile was incredible.” And yet that is exactly what was involved in the mystery—“that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel” (Eph. 3:6). To emphasize the importance of this truth, the apostle does not merely say “this mystery” or “the glory of this mystery,” but the riches of the glory of this mystery. He piles words upon words in order to impress his readers with the fact that this is a glorious truth that deserves their closest attention which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. The indwelling Christ is the believers’ hope of glory. We have no other title to heaven than the Savior Himself. The fact that He indwells us makes heaven as sure as if we were already there.”

Paul’s message to these newly converted Gentiles was far greater than anyone can find words for. God Himself has come to make His home in us and transform us as we grow in Him. This is our life now, Christ lives in me and I can enjoy Him from now through eternity.