27 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 1:27
Chosen
As we read through the Bible beginning in Genesis, we see the special relationship between God and His chosen people Israel. They are the apple of His eye. God’s choice, however, wasn’t based on any merit. He tells us in Deuteronomy chapter seven He did not choose Israel because they were the largest nation (most numerous), on the contrary, they were the least. They did not catch God’s eye because of their good looks. They did not garner his attention because of their superior wisdom. Not at all. They are unique because God chose them. Plain and simple.
After the fall, God promised a redeemer. The Messiah had to come from some people. God chose Israel for that special lineage. God entered into a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Despite their weaknesses, God never waivered from His Word. He gave them the sign of circumcision. He delivered Israel from Egypt. He gave them the Ten Commandments. He raised up prophets among them. He gave them Priests. When they asked for it, He gave them a King. He gave them the special privilege of being His representatives on earth. They were to be His “missionaries”, pointing the other nations to Himself and His promised Messiah. If you were a Gentile, you would have felt like you were on the outside looking in. But with God, there is always more than meets the eye.
Sent
Christ, the promised Messiah, would come, and meet with a Samaritan woman at a well, revealing Himself as the Messiah and turn her into a missionary. Philip would proclaim the Gospel in Samaria and then be used to convert an Ethiopian Eunuch. Saul, an enemy of the Church, would be saved and made a missionary to the Gentiles. Peter would receive a vision and then be sent to the home of Cornelius and as he presented the gospel to a house full of Gentiles, the Holy Spirit descended on them. Confusion would ensue and a Council would be held, and the Church would “welcome” the Gentiles into the “family”. God’s mystery was revealed. While the Jews may be unique in their relationship with God, they were not exclusive. God’s salvation is offered to both Jews and Gentiles. A truth that thrilled the heart of Paul.
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. – Colossians 1:12-14
Spirit
Paul encourages the Gentile believers that they have been transferred to the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. At salvation, we are transferred to the kingdom of Christ, and Christ the King takes up residence in us. Paul expounds on the fact that Christ is no less than God Himself. He is our Creator and Sustainer. He is our Prophet, Priest, and King. He is our hope. He has made a covenant with us that He can not break. It is impossible for Him to go back on His word.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. – John 14:16-17
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. – Ephesians 4:30
3 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, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. – 1 Peter 1:3-5
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. – Ephesians 1:13-14
Hope
Christ in us, the hope of glory. Our hope is not wishful thinking. This isn’t like hoping it is going to rain tomorrow or that the Lions might win a Super Bowl someday. Look at what John, Paul, and Peter wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Christ will ask the Father and He will give us another Helper to be with us forever. The Father will not deny the request of the Son. Further, Paul writes that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption. Peter goes on to tell us that we are being guarded by God’s power. To this, Paul adds that the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance. God doesn’t go back on His word. He is a covenant-keeping God. Our Hope of glory isn’t fantasy, it is a certainty. It could be no more certain if we were already in heaven. God has guaranteed it.
Hard to imagine, isn’t it? We who were apparently on the outside looking in were always a part of God’s plan. Like the Jews, we are not a part of God’s family because of any merit. Our hope is not in our talents, wisdom, or good works. Rather, our only hope is in the mercy of God. In His infinite wisdom, He chose to stoop down and save us and secure our salvation by indwelling us with His Spirit; Christ in us!! Our hope isn’t future, it is present. Heaven is ours today because Christ is living in us. No wonder Paul can write about the riches of the glory of this mystery. Think of it, we have been delivered from the domain of darkness and now share in the inheritance of the saints in light. All because of the love of the Father and the blood of the Son. With the Spirit of Christ in us, we know with certainty that we will be resurrected and see Christ face to face. Until we see our heavenly inheritance, we will continue to be conformed to the image of Christ who lives in us.
On the outside looking in? Not at all. Christ is on the inside looking out for our glory. What greater hope could we possibly have?
Christ in us, the hope of Glory.
20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. – John 14:20