Colossians 1:27 says, “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.” Notice that “Christ in you” is described as the “mystery.” The “Christ” or “Messiah” prophesied in the Old Testament is not only for the Jews, but it also for the Gentiles, it’s for all mankind. That’s the great mystery that has been made known to all mankind.

Paul preached Christ to the Gentiles. We all relate to God on the same basis now, through the work of Christ on the cross. When we talk about becoming a Christian we use language like: “accepting Christ, inviting Christ into our lives, receiving Christ, surrendering our lives to Christ, giving our lives in faith to Christ, being born again by allowing Christ to be born in us, receiving Christ as Savior.” Roman’s 8:28-29 is a statement purpose that God gives us explaining His purpose for us. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” There is no conflict between having God’s Spirit live in us or having Christ dwell in us. Those are similar concepts. I’d put it a little more biblically by saying, Christ lives in us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God, the Father, is always working in the life of a believer to conform him to the image of Jesus. It is the work assigned to the Holy Spirit that helps us resist temptation and surrender to God’s will for our molding into the image of His Son, as true children, through the power of the Holy Spirit. All three persons of the God head are present in us as believers. Paul Tells us in Romans 8:13-14, “But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” When we confess our sins and look to the Cross of Christ for forgiveness, we are accepted by God and given the Holy Spirit to comfort, exhort, and nurture us in our journey to be conformed to the image of His Son.

Chuck
“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God…” Colossians 3:3