“I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you. This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.”
Colossians 1:24-29 NLT
God’s secret was that Christ lives in Christians. It is not that Christians are Christ. It’s not that they can become like Christ. It is not that they need a secret knowledge about Christ that resides somewhere else, or in something else. If you process the statement, it was as relevant for the g Ostia mystics as it is today. There is always a push to remove the presence of Christ in our lives once we become Christians. This can be done by relegating him to a mere lifeguard who saves, a doorway we walk through or a genie who performs. Paul highlights Gods statement in Jesus life,“God is present among you.” This is profound given that he is said to be called Immanuel. This literally means, “God is with us.” This concept seems meaningfully lost on western Christians. Many still seek to know a secret truth about him. Paul tells us to stop searching and start accepting what is already revealed in the scriptures and in the life of the man. We are never alone with him. He resides among us. He is completely revealed in Spirit and in Truth by the scriptures, activated through the work of his Holy Spirit, and effecting real time and space through his body, the church. We do not need to search for him. We need to see him present and accept him. Otherwise, we treat him poorly as he helps us through life. We talk to him about our problems and hopes and dreams, but always look past him to fulfill them.
JOSH McGARY. COM 