Christ in Me, the Hope of Glory

Col. 1:27

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

 

I was once alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds until Jesus reconciled me  by His coming to earth, taking on a human body, suffering and dying that He might present me holy and blameless and above reproach before the Father. Even though my holiness and purity are still a work in progress, He has covered me in His blood and His righteousness so that when the Father looks at me He sees the righteous of the Son. All this is mine if indeed I continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel. Here once again is the mystery of my working but through the grace of God. How this process works is a mystery in itself, but the gift of faith allows me to trust the Word, the Savior, the Redeemer, and the Father.

 

Paul's ministry was to make the Word of God fully known, not just to the Colossians or the people of His time period, but to me and all those that follow until the day of His return. He was to reveal a mystery that had been hidden for ages and generations but was then revealed to the saints. God had chosen to make known to them [and that includes me] how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory, of this mystery, that is Christ in me, the hope of glory. How glorious is this! All the fullness of God is in Christ, and Christ is in me! But how do I live practically in light of this knowledge? Paul himself said that he toiled, struggling with all his energy that He powerfully works in me. There it is again! It is the mysterious miracle of Christ in me and me working and struggling. My effort can't be in my own strength because then it would bring glory to me and not to God; so instead I work as hard as I can but in His powerful strength. But how to make this a reality?

 

Paul's ministry was to proclaim Jesus by warning and teaching with all wisdom so that he could present believers mature in Christ. It was for this that he struggled with all his energy that Christ powerfully worked in Him. My maturity in Christ speaks of my identification with Him, the transformation of my mind, choices, attitudes, heart, etc. Through Him I will be a new creation and all because of His grace powerfully working in me. Not a me that sits passively by waiting for this transformation, but a me that  works and toils. I must be committed, dedicated, singular in purpose, living in the reality of Christ in me. So how can I work and toil? Perhaps just remembering the phrase, Christ in me, praying it, thinking it, calling it out in the situations that often pull me down. I would also be soaking in the Word letting its great promises control my life while praying, having open communication with the Father. I must be at His disposal to be used as He desires. That means my plans may have to be tabled so that I could do the work of the Father.

 

Father,

Teach me how live out practically Christ in me. Show me the way to work and toil but still be through the energy that You work in me. Help me live in the light of this great mystery.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Son

Col. 1:19

For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.

 

This morning in my Read-the-Bible-through-in-a-year- plan, I read Is. 53 and Col. 1. What a contrast! Yet both reveal Christ, the Son of God. I am amazed that He did all this for me, for my forgiveness and my salvation. How many religions have a god like this, a God who would willingly suffer, die, and take on Himself the sins of many so that many could be saved?

Col. 1

• In Him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sin
• Image of the Invisible God
• Firstborn of all creation
• By Him all things were created  through Him and for Him whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities
• He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together
• He is the head of the body, the church, that in everything He might be preeminent
• In Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell
• Through Him to reconcile to Himself all things wheter on earth or in heaven
• Making peace by the blood of His Christ

Is. 53.

• He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him and no beauty that we should desire Him
• Despised and rejected by man, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief
• We esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted
• He was wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities
• He was chastised so we might have peace
• His stripes healed us
• He was oppressed and afflicted yet opened not His mouth
• By oppression and judgment He was taken away
• His grave was with the wicked and the rich man
• He had done no violence
• He had no deceit in His mouth
• It was the will of the Lord  to crush Him
• His soul makes an offering for guilt
• He poured out His soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors
• He bore the sins of many and makes intercession for the transgressors

These two passages truly reveal how much love God had for fallen man and how much He willingly gave up to provide the only sacrifice that would reconcile man to God. What a great God I love and worship! My heart is convicted at how stingy I am in my love for God and how generous He was!

All of this great love, greatness, and power is in Christ and Christ is in me! How mind-blowing is that thought!

 

Father,

Teach me to live in the understanding of these great truths. My heart is so full. I can only say thank you over and over again. Help me to live so that I honor You and the Son.

In His name,

Amen



Rejoice

Phil. 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

 

 

The command must be pretty important for Paul to say it twice and in such a succinct way. Why is rejoicing so difficult? Why isn't it the believer's default? Why do we go instantly to discouragement, worry, or grief? For sure, it has to do with our fleshly nature and form, but it could also be from a lack of understanding fully what it means. In this chapter Paul clarifies exactly what will make rejoicing a reality.

 

The first area that Paul addresses is anxiety or worry which is often a huge deterrent to rejoicing. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Simply put, don't worry but instead pray and be thankful. It should be a simple thing to remember! If I obey this simple command, then God's peace will be mine, and with His peace, I can rejoice in any circumstance. Worry is gone because of prayer and thankfulness and results in peace, a peaceful rejoicing.

 

Secondly, Paul speaks of the thought life. Certainly this is a huge area and one that is very powerful. We don't have to say anything; We just have to think it. However, Paul writes of the importance of controlling thoughts. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable. If there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things. If I limited my thoughts to these things, it would totally eliminate the what if's and the if only's. It would put me on a course that would include prayer, thankfulness, peace, and rejoicing. How important is this! Thoughts are one thing that believers can hide or at least they think they are hiding. They can appear peaceful or pure on the outside, but what is really on the inside? What do I allow in my life that I want hidden from others? Sadly, in our effort to hide our thoughts, we forget that God knows them all. Believers need to take every thought captive to Jesus Christ.

 

The next area is the who. Who do I allow to influence my life? Who do I admire, emulate, and even seek to gain their advice? Paul says, What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things and the God of peace will be with you. It is so important that believers search out and value Godly people. Listening to others who love God and are obedient to His word will grow a peaceful attitude, and this attitude will bring rejoicing.

 

Father,

Help me hear the promptings of the Spirit and then obey them instantly. Give me Your grace to keep worry, fear, and discontent from controlling my heart. Open my eyes to the truth and the things that I should allow in my mind. Help me see the people You would want me to emulate.  Give me your grace and strength to rejoice, be content, pray, and to guard my thoughts.

In His name,

Amen



Press On

Phil. 3:13-15

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 

 

What a glorious declaration! Can Paul make this statement because he is Paul, or can believers today have this kind of dedication and commitment today? After reading the chapter, Paul addressed certain areas that might be considered prerequisites for living a life solely for God.

• Look out for evildoers who add to the gospel--In order to do this, I would have to know the truth, the Word and rely on the Spirit of God to teach me and lead me.
• Worship God by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus--I do worship God in spirit and glory in the Son, but maybe the problem comes in applying this great doctrine. How does it look on a day-to-day basis?
• Put no confidence in the flesh--This area is a definite problem since my flesh often rises to the foreground and attempts to power through life without praying first. I need to change my default so that it first prays, then waits, and only goes ahead when He leads.
• Whatever gain he had, he counted as loss for the sake of Christ--Gain is something that tugs at the heart. It seems to be part of the world's system that many believers buy into. I would definitely need to pray about any gain in my life and think of how I can use it for God's glory first.
• He counted all as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus, his Lord--Now Paul is addressing the necessities. I have not had to go without yet, but I hope and pray that I will trust God to take care of all these things.
• He had suffered the loss of all things and counted them as rubbish so that he might gain Christ and be found in Him--For Paul Christ was vastly more important than anything earthly or fleshly. It was all loss. God is beginning to bless me with this mindset, making me aware of what is temporal and what is eternal.
• His righteousness was not his own but came through faith in Christ--Thankfully or I would be devoid of righteousness. I so know that anything that I could do for God would be sadly lacking.
• He wanted to know Christ in resurrection, in sufferings, and in death--As do I, but I wonder if I still have an element of fear at where this attitude will lead.
• He pressed on by forgetting the past and straining forward to what was ahead--Forget the past! But am I straining forward? This is what would take full commitment!
• Thinking like this is spiritual maturity-- It is my desire to grown into full maturity in Jesus Christ.

So it looks like I know and want these things, but what is holding me back. Is it my commitment or my fear of what it would mean? Is it because I like to live comfortably and serve Christ from a comfortable vantage point? So much to pray about!

 

Father,

Grow me in practically applying what You have said. Sharpen my ears to hear the Spirit's promptings so that I will be constantly decreasing while Jesus is increasing.

In His name,

Amen



Fear and Trembling

Phil. 2:12

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

 

Paul urged the Philippians to go forward in the way that they had grown in the past. Resting on past growth and blessing was not an option. In fact, their growth would be evidenced in their attitude toward growth, an attitude of commitment coupled with fear and trembling.  Just the fact that God Almighty would be working in them for His will and good pleasure should make them them aware of the justice of God as well as His great grace. With that in mind, Paul called for fear and trembling, a constant realization of the might and power of God seen in grace but also in justice. Believers should never take these truths lightly! Paul knew beyond any doubt that grace made him who he was, but he also realized the importance of working hard and seriously.  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Can I describe my obedience in a way similar as this? Am I abusing this great grace by not working hard?

 

Paul went on to say, Do all things without grumbling and questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God, without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life... The believer's growth must be free of grumbling and questioning. Even though these things seem to be small things, things seen constantly in life, God says no. No grumbling or questioning! It is sin! Since the world and its system often operate with this attitude of discontentment coupled with grumbling and questioning, the absence of these attitudes in my life should allow me to hold forth the Word of Life with unquestioning sincerity. Certainly, God wants me to hold forth the word in the world, but always without becoming crooked and twisted myself. If I buy into grumbling and questioning about what I have, who my boss is, who my co-workers are, and what I want out of life, then I have become like the world wanting more and more without ever being satisfied. If I am a Christian living in the world and yet rarely share the Word or the gospel am I working as hard as I can with fear and trembling? Am I merely resting on grace and not allowing it to energize my obedience? 

 

Father,

Convict me every time I grumble or question. Give me a heart of repentance and obedience. Energize and control my walk, talk, thoughts, and attitudes so that I can boldly hold forth the Word.

In Jesus name,
Amen

Unity

Phil. 2:2

Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

 

Paul wanted the believers to be unified. Not only did he state that desire, but he also explained why they should be unified.

• If there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Paul is not saying that these things are doubtful, but the 'if' clause has the meaning of  'since'. Since believers do possess encouragement in Christ, comfort from love, participation in the Spirit, affection, and sympathy, they should have the same mind and love. They should be of one mind. In Christ, I have unlimited grace and strength to make all this a reality, and through grace, the indwelling Christ and Holy Spirit, I can be at one with other believers because the same Christ and Spirit who indwell me indwells them.
• Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Rivalry and conceit pit one person against another causing the flesh to rise up and take control, to desire mastery and control over another. The answer is humility and counting the needs and wants of another more important than my own. How this violates what my flesh wants! But this is the way that Christ lived and since He lives within me, I have His grace and power to live like He did. Through Him I can quell my flesh and live for others.
• Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. How hard is this! Since people are inherently selfish, they guard and make time for their own interests sometimes to the exclusion of all else. Again, this calls for living like Christ, following in His footsteps. He looked to the interests of others to the degree that He gave up His own life. However, this verse does exclude my own interests, but it wants me to make room for others. Perhaps even put my interests last.
• Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. The key to this whole teaching is having the mind of Christ. Sadly, it is there for believers to possess, but how many of them do? I have so much in Christ, but often it is head knowledge and not a reality in my daily life. How do I develop this in my heart and life? Specifically, when Christ came to earth even though He was God he did not grasp that equality. [How often is fairness touted? How often do people want the playing field of life leveled?]  He willingly gave up what was His because of who He was, making Himself nothing, even a servant. [Certainly that is the apex of humility.] His obedience and humility allowed Him to be obedient even to the point of death on a cross.

If Christ is my example [and He is], and I have His mind within me [and I do], how can I still be grasping what I think is rightfully mine and fighting to be best, seeking to have the most, and desiring to be recognized as better than others? What a deal! This is not following in the footsteps of Christ. First, I need to realize all that I have, and then I need to pray for the strength and grace to claim the promises of God. Finally, I need to claim the victory by stepping out in faith and acting on these principles. When I fail, I need to confess immediately and get back on track. I have to want to live this way! I have to desire obedience more than my own wants, whims, or interests.

 

Father,

What an eye-opener! Reveal to me when I am putting myself before others. Help me live like I know that I should. I do want to please and honor You and live like Your Son who indwells me. Teach me how to live in His power and with the Spirit teaching.

In Jesus name,

Amen

For His Sake

Is. 48:11

For My own sake, for My own sake, I do it, for how should My name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.

 

God was speaking to Israel telling them specific events, so that when they came to pass they would know it was His power and not that of an idol. Sadly, His chosen people were obstinate, stiff necked like an iron sinew with a forehead of brass. Ouch! What a description! The important thing is not for me to judge or criticize Israel for their disobedience and idol worship, but it is to look in my heart. Have I been obstinate and stiff necked toward God? Have I resisted His will and His purpose by being too planted in the world? Does submission and obedience characterize my life?

 

God could not smile at their idol worship, nor does He condone sin in my life. But for His name's sake, He deferred His anger. For the sake of His praise He restrained it for Israel so that He wouldn't cut them off. What mercy! It all was for His sake not for Israel's sake. The focus is totally on God, His character, His attributes, His name, and His great love. For me, He restrained His anger by sending His Son to cover my sin with His blood. And all this He did for the sake of His name! It couldn't be accomplished by me because it would bring glory to my name. It had to be by the Son so that the glory would be God's.

 

Speaking of Israel, He says, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. The furnace of affliction is a hard place to be, but one thing it does is to reveal how the world, its system, and its idols have no merit. Crying out to them will result in absolutely nothing! Thankfully, when the promises of the world are clearly seen as empty deceit, then His chosen ones will cry out to Him. He is bringing His children, including me, to a place where we can say wholeheartedly, but with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain...for it has been granted to you for the sake of Christ, you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake.  It is my calling and my privilege to suffer for His sake. How wonderful to suffer for Him instead of suffering because I am stiff-necked with a forehead of brass!

 

 

Why this grant? Why is suffering necessary? Why must God put me through the furnace of affliction?  For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another. It is all for His sake, His plan, and His glory. When I am functioning sinfully, I am not bringing glory to Him. and since He cannot and will not give His glory to another, I must be purified. The way to practical purification is the furnace of affliction! This furnace burns away my love for the world and its conveniences. It reveals to me where my heart really is, and it draws me back to Him, the Father of all comforts. As I live each day, I need to ask myself who is getting the glory for what I am doing. In the very next verse God said, Listen to Me, O Jacob...Listening and obeying should be my modus operandi.

 

Father,

I am thankful for this furnace of affliction even though it hurts. I want to be close to You. I want to bring You glory, and I know I can only do this through Your grace. Open my ears that I might hear. Soften my heart and will so that I might obey.

In Jesus name,

Amen