… which is Christ in you …
Summary: As Paul continues his description of the Gospel, he defines the “glorious riches of this mystery” as Jesus Christ.
Ah-ha! The “mystery” is solved! The “glorious riches” Paul mentions are, in fact, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
So what is “Christ in you” worth? Why does Paul equate Jesus to “glorious riches?”
The answer to that question is personal. It is personal, and it changes as we mature.
In the first place, most of us didn’t even know we needed Jesus before he found us. Like little lost pigs, we were happily rooting around in the mud of our sins without realizing that death was lurking nearby. When Jesus found us, we were just beginning to see our need for him. (Luke 19:10)
As we mature in our faith, we discover that Jesus had a choice. He could have lived to a ripe old age or, better yet, just stayed in heaven and never had to endure life as a Jew under Roman rule.
What kind of person gives up their life for someone else? More to the point, who would give up their life for me? (Romans 5:8)
At some point, we discover why Jesus died for us. It wasn’t that he had to die or that he wanted to die. It wasn’t that he needed to impress his Father. He gave up his life because we were lost in sin, and the only way for us to be saved from the path we were on was for Jesus to pay with his life. He gave up his life because he loves us more than anything else. There was no other way, and he loved us that much. (John 15:13)
Jesus didn’t act on his own, either. His Father, God, encouraged this act of selfless sacrifice. The Father has one perfect Son. All of mankind was doomed to eternity apart from God because of Adam and Eve’s sin (Genesis 3). The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was the payment needed to purchase the lives of those who love God.
No amount of gold, silver, or jewels could accomplish this. Sum up the value of all the real estate in the world and add to the gold and silver, and you are still not close. Add in every costly thing that mankind has ever known and take every penny from everyone on the planet, and you still cannot write a check big enough to buy what Jesus paid for with his life.
Application: Thank God for your redemption through the blood of Jesus.
Food for Thought: What does it mean to have “Christ in you?”
What does it mean to have “Christ in you?”
To me it means to have the Holy Spirits presence and power dewling in me, guiding my desires in my life, helping my thoughts and actions to glorify our God. Helping me become a better reflection of Jesus’s character to others.
Having Christ in me is showing how close of a relationship I have with Jesus, that I have accepted His teachings and sacrifice. That I have faith in eternal salvation that comes only from Jesus.
That I can ( as a man ) use the excuses that I’m eating for two.
And that I’m never alone during hard times like grief, sorrow, abandonmen, disappointment, failure, depression, and other troubles in life.
Tim,
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on having “Christ in you.” Your description is powerful and beautiful … and, of course, humorous! But that, too, is a part of God’s nature. (After all, he made me! 🙂 )
I agree Jeff. I really like Tim’s response. And the humor.
In his response he gives some good examples of bearing fruit – of a life changed by Christ and the Holy Spirit’s presence. And I do think that bearing fruit is a result of Christ in us.
John 15: 1 – 8: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. 2He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. 5I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples.”
Thanks, Rich!
You are pointing us to one of the most important aspects of a life in Christ — that we have to remain connected to our Lord at all times. As Christians, learning this lesson is like learning how to operate the filler hose at the gas station. If we don’t know where to put it or how to turn it on, it has no value. Jesus’ Word goes in our minds and mouth, and his Spirit goes in our hearts and we open the valve by submitting to his will.
After that — to channel a little bit of Tim — life is a “gas!”
Wow. I’m not the one to be channeling.
🙂
Throughout the Bible, the use of seeds, vines, and fruit are used as metaphors for faith, our connection with our Savior, and the Spirit of God living within us.
I often think about the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden, and how it in many ways represents Christ. A tree that bears life-giving fruit. When the seeds of faith are planted in our heart and take root, the Tree of Life that is Christ grows within us, and we bear the fruit of His Spirit.
I often find that we are in the same position as Adam and Eve in the garden: will we choose the eat from the Tree of Life, or will we choose to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil? The first is complete trust in God and His provision, the second to trust in our own ability to judge what is good.
To have Christ “in us” is to trust in God’s provision. Christ is God’s provision.
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
We welcome Christ in us by placing our trust in Him, He takes our trust and give us faith by interceding on our behalf. It is a tangible relationship. Believe, trust, act in faith, and receive in faith.
Chris,
Very well said! I like how you tied this topic to the Tree of Life.
Thank you!
Great posts today!
What does it mean to have “Christ in you?”
1.) In the Bible, the heart is a powerful symbol, representing our emotions and desires, as well as our spiritual condition and relationship with God. The biblical meaning of the heart can provide insights into our faith and guide us in living our lives aligned with God’s will.
All believers are a new creation in Christ. With pure hearts and steadfast spirits.
Psalm 51:10, Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2.) We are called turn from our own understanding as we begin our new life guarding our hearts as we trust in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
Proverbs 4:23, Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
3.) Believers are empowered and called to walk before God in humility as we begin the process of fully understanding the Greatness of God, and the smallness of all mankind.
Colossians 1:27, Christ in us, becomes our hope of glory.
Matthew 6:21, For where our treasure is, there our heart will be also.
Luke 6:45 ,The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
4.) Believers live with no excuse and are now empowered to allow Christ who now LIVES, DWELLS IN OUR HEARTS, to show, deliver Gods love to the world around us
Romans 6:11, So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:17, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Having Christ in us means is not just in us, He has been asked to take up residence in our hearts.
Excellent, Ron!
God renews our hearts, and while we let go of our “own understanding” we learn to trust and hang on to God’s ways.
Thank you!
Thank you Ron I always enjoy your knowledge of the Bible and the many verses you reference to any topic.