Last week, we saw Paul burst out in praise for Jesus! Remember the verses before the praise began (cf. verses 13 and 14): Paul reminded us that God the Father had rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of His Son. Those thoughts sent Paul into praise of Jesus Christ! That begs us to ask ourselves a question “When was the last time we broke out in praise for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who has redeemed us and given us peace?” Just a few minutes ago, I had to stop to praise Jesus by quoting Colossians 1:15-23. I have a good friend that I meet with every two weeks. He is a master at memorizing Scripture. About a year ago, I was convicted about not memorizing and meditating on Scripture. It makes me think of Psalm 119:11, the psalmist writes “I have hidden you word in my heart so that I might not sin against you.” So, over a year ago, I asked my good friend if we could memorize Scripture together. For over a year, we have memorized one Scripture a week. We started with the passage, Colossians 1:15-23! Jesus is so worthy of all our praise!
But there is another reason why Paul put Colossians 1:15-23 in the Book of Colossians. Let’s begin reading in verse 24 to see if we can figure it out:
“24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. 25 Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints (‘saints’ means believers in the New Testament), 27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. 29 For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me” (NASB).
Notice, Paul said there was a mystery (something not known) and it was hidden for ages and generations (a long time J)! But now, it has been manifested or revealed to believers. What is the mystery? Christ in you, the hope of glory! Paul is saying that believers have the Holy Spirit inside of them (cf. John 14:15-17). Paul says it like this in Romans 8:9 “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” So, wait? Jesus was before all things, He created all things, He even sustains all things currently, and His Spirit is inside of me! Christ in Matt, the hope of glory! Wow!!! All the wisdom Christ has, I have that wisdom available to me? All the power Christ has, I have that power available to me? Am I never alone because the Spirit of Christ is in me? Yes, Yes, and Yes!
This is why Paul could pray earlier “We pray that you may be filled with theknowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light” (Colossians 1:9-12).
So, my friends rejoice in the amazing mystery that has been revealed “Christ in you, the hope of glory!” Christ can indeed change you from the inside out. You have everything you need to have life and have it to the full (cf. John 10:00)! But how does Christ work in me? What do I need to do? Well, a lot of chapter 2 is going to show us what not to do? But chapter 3 will give us some answers. Hope to see you next week!