From the Morning Scriptures

I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.  To 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. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

—Colossians 1:25-2:7 (TNIV)

If you ever wondered what it means to be “in Christ,” just read this passage from Paul. Marvel at how he lives his life entirely for Christ. Paul does not kid himself and think that by his own merits he accomplishes all that he does. Instead he gives credit where it is due. He has “Christ in him, the hope of glory.”

Having Christ in him gives Paul hope for a future, one that will not be marred by suffering or incompleteness. This hope, along with Christ’s presence in him, allows Paul to transcend all that besets him in this life. It gives his current work meaning and purpose. It strengthens him and keeps him going. It allows Paul to use his God-given gifts to their fullest.

Here we see a magnificent union of God and man, the kind of relationship with God we were created to have, in which God lives in humans and allows us to fulfill our God-given call. There is power to love and serve and in so loving and serving there is a joy that nothing in this life can take away. Paul knew the secret and reminds us that we too can have the Power of Christ living in us. Do you have Christ in you, the hope of glory?