Such overflowing joy has nothing to do with a prideful idea that we achieve our own success. The Scriptures emphasize that our salvation is so sure because of Christ’s power, not ours. He saves us through the Gospel event and through His continuing work on our behalf. “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion” (Philippians 1:6). He keeps His promise, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18). Even now, He strengthens “you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:16-17). You celebrate right now because you rely on His strength for every challenge.
But what about the weakness I still experience? The secret of our success is that we – our old sinful selves – we move out of the way. For in spiritual reality, we “died with Christ.”23 More than that, we were raised with Christ living in us. Like Paul, we who obey the Gospel know with certainty, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me!” (Galatians 2:20)
This is “the mystery,” the secret that God kept to Himself for long ages, and then revealed for our benefit through the writers of the New Testament.24 As Paul reminds us of his inspired role, look for the reason you can be so sure of your place in glory.
…of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 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 (Colossians 1:25-27).
Yes, “the mystery” – and the great secret of your success – “is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:25-27). With this secret of success, we long for the return of Christ. We prepare for the judgment with complete confidence. Our hearts leap with joy to hear Jesus make the solemn statement:
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:12-13) M
To this we reply, with same kind of eagerness and assurance as John,25
…Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20) M
CHRIST IN YOU IS YOUR HOPE OF GLORY!
23. This took place when we were baptized into Christ as repenting believers, Colossians 2:11-12,20; Romans 6:3-13; Acts 2:36-39; 22:16 cf. 2 Timothy 2:11; 2 Corinthians 4:10.
24. Research Subject – “The mystery” is a common theme in the New Testament. See Ephesians 1:19; 3:3,9; 6:19; Colossians 1:26; 2:2; 4:3; Romans 16:25-26; 1 Peter 1:10-12. The mystery has two surprises in it. The first surprise is that God includes us in His own family, yes, even us Gentiles who were so far from God Ephesians 3:6; 2:19. The second surprise is that we share every blessing, including Christ within (“Christ in you”) as the secure hope for reaching the family’s glorious destination, Ephesians 1:3-14; Colossians 1:25-27.
25. We have not seen Jesus as John did. Yet we know that our faith can be similar to John’s. We know this because of 2 Peter 1:1, where Peter, another eyewitness, described the faith of his readers as equal in quality or value to his own, though they relied on faith, not sight, 2 Peter 1:16 cf. 1 Peter 1:8; John 20:29.
Research Subjects
- Lord’s Supper
- High Priest
- Christ’s Return
- Destruction of all physical things
- Enemies defeated and punished
- “The second death”
- Hope
- “The mystery”
As a member of Christ you belong to God’s royal priesthood. Each Sunday you assemble with other members around the Lord’s Table. In the Lord’s Supper, you remember Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and so renew your focus on grace. With others, you rebuild your defenses against worldly temptations. You grow in confidence to testify about your faith. You look forward to Christ’s return, when you will live with God forever. As a beautiful bride, the church waits for her Bridegroom to come. He is trustworthy and true. Your part is to believe Him. Your hope of eternal life is confident because your “hope of glory” is “Christ in you.”
Memory Verses
- 1 Peter 2:5,9 – …you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.… But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
- Revelation 1:5-6 – … and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 – So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
- 1 John 5:18 – … he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
- Acts 20:32 – And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
- 2 Timothy 2:1 – You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus…
- Revelation 12:11 – And they have conquered him [the accuser, Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
- Revelation 7:9,14,17 – After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.… “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. … God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
- 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 – But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
- John 14:1-3 – Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
- 1 John 3:2 – … we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
- Revelation 22:4-5 – They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. …they will reign forever and ever.
- Revelation 2:10-11 – ‘…Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’
- 2 Timothy 4:7-8 – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
- 1 Peter 1:3-4 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you…
- 1 Peter 1:13 – Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
- 1 Peter 1:8 – Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory…
- Revelation 22:12-13 – Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
- Revelation 22:20 – Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Faithful Father, we trust You, and want to trust You more. Thank You for giving us a special way each week to celebrate what You did for us in Christ’s death and resurrection. Help us to be regular in assembling with Your family. Give us the courage to share with others the hope that we have. Make us spiritually mature and fruitful. In the words of Ephesians 3, may we “be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” We long for Your return, when You come to take us home. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Picture: Some clocks display the Latin motto “Tempus Fugit,” which means “Time Flies.” As Paul said, “Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11). Let us use time wisely, for our days are few and fleeting. Prepare well, for Jesus assures us, “Behold, I am coming soon!”