“Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:”
Colossians 1:26
Do you like a good mystery? There is a great mystery revealed in the New Testament that each Christian should recognize and understand. “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints” (Colossians 1:26). This mystery is a divine truth that was previously unknown, but has been made known to Believers.
In the Old Testament, it was revealed that one day salvation would be readily available to the Gentiles. When Jesus came, salvation was made readily available to “whosoever” (see John 3:16). Jesus had explained how to receive (receive means “to accept an offer deliberately and readily”) the kingdom of God. When the Pharisees asked Jesus when it should come, read His reply. “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation” (Luke 17:20). Not with observation means “you cannot see it with human eyes.” He went on to say. “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). Within you means “it is located in your heart and affections; not external.” That is one reason we refer to being saved as “asking Jesus into your heart.” You cannot see it with your eyes. The Gospel Message is very simple – one must just believe upon Christ. This they could not understand.
However, the mystery revealed is much more than just salvation for “whosoever”. It is a mystery that “is made manifest” to His saints. Saints are those who have been declared “holy, set apart, sanctified, consecrated; separated not only ceremonially but also morally.” Remember how Paul explained it in First Corinthians. “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours” (1 Corinthians 1:2). Those who have been called and believe upon Jesus Christ are called saints.
What is this great mystery revealed? “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). No one knew that Christ would dwell within Believers. How can Believers understand “Christ in you”? Christians understand that Christ died for us. He was the substitute offering that appeased God (see 1 John 4:9-10). Believers are then enabled to “live through him” for He is in that Believer. This allows Christ to be seen through that Believer’s life. Paul encouraged the Philippians to life this kind of life. “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27). When one sees a Believer, Christ should be revealed in that life – for Christ is in that one. There should then be an obvious difference in the life of a Believer and one who does not know Christ. “9. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness” (Romans 8:9-10). A Believer’s live is new, for the old life passes away (see 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Galatians 2:20). Believers also have a hope that the world does not have. Our hope is a certainty of the future: “the hope of glory” (see also Titus 2:13 and Titus 3:7).
It is accredited to F. B. Meyer for saying: “In all His people Christ is present. In some He is prominent. In a few He is preeminent.” It should be each Believer’s goal for Christ to be preeminent in that life. It is then Believers can be “more than conquerors”. “37. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).
Remembering that there are “things in the Old Testament concealed and in the New Testament revealed”, the Gospel Message of Jesus, the Messiah, had been hidden in the Old Testament. Now we understand it is available to anyone who will give their heart and life to Christ. It is then that Believers not only have God with us, we have Christ in us. This gives a whole new meaning for Christians in the following verse. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:9). With Christ in me, I am enabled to do all that He will ask of me. I must choose to do whatever He has for me to do.
Have you recognized Christ in you, enabling you to do what He asks – because He strengthens you?
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