Tag: perfect in Christ
The hope of Glory!
Scripture reading for October 5th: Colossians 1:20-2:7
The Colossians came from a Gentile background. They were alienated from God because of their lack of understanding about Him and His holy character. Paul came to them and preached the Gospel of Christ. It was through Christ’s death on the cross, burial and resurrection that these Gentiles had been reconciled to God. Through faith they had been washed of their sins and made holy and blameless in Christ’s sight. (Colossians 1:21-23)
Paul told these believers that he was a servant of the Gospel. Christ had commissioned him to present them with the word of God in its fullness. Paul was glad to do this, even suffering for the sake of the church like Christ Himself did. “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 perfect in Christ.” (Colossians 1:27-28) The Gospel is good news for all mankind! It is a simple message that reveals Christ as the Son of God and Savior of men. Those who trust in Him receive the gift of Christ living in them by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the hope of our future glorification!
Paul wanted no one to perish, but all to be complete in Christ. He wrote and taught about Christ and struggled in prayer for believers because he had the heart of God for them. God wanted them all complete in Christ as well. But there were other voices competing for the attention of these believers. The false teachers had some slick arguments and enticing stories that could deceive those ignorant of the Truth.
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” They must grow in their relationship with Christ and become deeply connected with Him through the word and prayer, staying true to the basic teachings of Christ with thankful hearts. This is sound advice for each of us today. Many leave the faith to follow other ways that sound good but lead them astray. The mystery is simple: Christ in you, the hope of glory!
The Hope of Glory! (Christ in You)
Scripture reading for October 5th: Colossians 1:20-2:7
The Colossians came from a Gentile background. They were alienated from God because of their lack of understanding about Him and His holy character. Paul came to them and preached the Gospel of Christ. It was through Christ’s death on the cross, burial and resurrection that these Gentiles had been reconciled to God. Through faith they had been washed of their sins and made holy and blameless in Christ’s sight. (Colossians 1:21-23)
Paul told these believers that he was a servant of the Gospel. Christ had commissioned him to present them with the word of God in its fullness. Paul was glad to do this, even suffering for the sake of the church like Christ Himself did. “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 perfect in Christ.” (Colossians 1:27-28) The Gospel is good news for all mankind! It is a simple message that reveals Christ as the Son of God and Savior of men. Those who trust in Him receive the gift of Christ living in them by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the hope of our future glorification!
Paul wanted no one to perish, but all to be complete in Christ. He wrote and taught about Christ and struggled in prayer for believers because he had the heart of God for them. God wanted them all complete in Christ as well. But their were other voices competing for the attention of these believers. The false teachers had some slick arguments and enticing stories that could deceive those ignorant of the Truth.
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” They must grow in their relationship with Christ and become deeply connected with Him through the word and prayer, staying true to the basic teachings of Christ with thankful hearts. This is sound advice for each of us today. Many leave the faith to follow other ways that sound good but lead them astray. The mystery is simple: Christ in you, the hope of glory!
Christ in You, the Hope of Glory!
Scripture reading for December 3rd: Colossians 1-4
Jesus Christ is the most important person in the entire universe! He is the firstborn Son of God and is over all creation! (Colossians 1:15) He is the head of all authority in heaven and on earth! He created all things and holds it all together! He existed before everything that was made and is clearly supreme in every way!
Jesus Christ is the head of the church, His body on earth and in heaven. He birthed the church by dying sacrificially on the cross in order to redeem all mankind who would believe on Him. He was also the firstborn from the dead by resurrection! (Colossians 1:19-20) He reconciled us to God the Father, making peace through His own blood shed on the cross! He now lives in us by the Holy Spirit who marks us as belonging to the Father. This truth was a mystery hidden in God before Christ was revealed. Now this mystery has been revealed through the Gospel and is available to Jews and Gentiles alike!
“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 saints. 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.” (Colossians 2:26-27)
The greatest riches in the universe is Christ Jesus! Having Christ in us brings joy, peace with God, and an unbelievable inheritance! Paul calls this inheritance the “hope of glory”! When he talks about hope here, it is not “I hope that I see this glory”. That is my “blessed hope”! Hope is a firm expectation of coming good! It is not some vaporous thought that maybe something will happen. Hope doesn’t disappoint us because we know this glory is coming! It is the glory of the resurrected Christ in His glory! It is the glory of a resurrection body for us! When we see Him, we shall be like Him in glory! (1st John 3:2-3) This hope causes us to purify our lives and live a righteous life of obedient faith.
Christmas is coming! The best gift anyone could ever receive is “Christ in you, the hope of glory”! Why not pray about sharing Christ with those you love who do not know Him? The mystery is out in the open! We can go public! Pray like Paul in Colossians 4:3-6 that you may have an open door, proclaim the message clearly, and be wise! God bless your giving!