Day 1

When we understand the mystery, everything that precedes it makes fresh sense.

‘To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which isChrist in you, the hope of glory.’ (Colossians 1:27)

When we hear the word mystery we may think of detective books, and who-done-it stories. When Paul talks about mystery in the book of Colossians it has a much different meaning. It refers to an unveiling or a coming to light. The mystery in Colossians is the fulfillment of the progressive revelation of Scripture which comes to its fulfillment in the person and work of Christ. This mystery, this climax of revelation, Paul reduces to seven words: ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory’

‘Glory’ is not heaven. Paul told us in Romans 3:23 that ‘all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ What we have fallen short of is now made possible by the indwelling presence of Jesus Christ in the life of the believer. Our hope of godliness is not found in any effort of our own but exclusively in the work of Christ for us and the presence of Christ in us.

Once this mystery has been cracked, the whole of the Old Testament comes alive in a new way. We find everything God has portrayed, promised and predicted in the Old Testament moves to its fulfillment in an experiential relationship with Christ.

Are you trying to live the Christian life for Christ or do you trust Christ to live it in you?