Victorious PowerSample

 The Mystery 

Colossians 1:25-27

I have become [the churches] servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

This may be one of the most astounding passages of scripture. In it, Paul reveals one of the central truths of the gospel. In fact, according to Paul, this truth is so important that without it, the gospel is incomplete. It’s what brings the gospel to its fullness. 

This truth is so powerful and transformative, God has kept it hidden – a mystery – from eternity past. No spiritual authority, no angel, no demon, not even Satan in all his power has known this secret. God has had it locked away because it is so powerful it would change everything.

What could be so important that God would want to keep it a mystery, hidden from every living creature? What could possibly be such a big deal?

It’s this: He would actually implant His Spirit – the Spirit of Christ Himself – in His people, giving them extraordinary power.

Yes. Christ, at the moment of your salvation, would take up residence in you.  

Pause. Think seriously about this for a moment. The Spirit of the risen Christ indwells you in this very moment, giving you access to the fullness of God's power! You are a carrier of the presence and power of God. 

Wow.

This indwelling isn’t something you have to seek or ask for. It’s a product of salvation. Having Christ in you is what makes salvation complete and ensures your eternal life. As Paul states in Ephesians 4:30, the Holy Spirit is the one by whom you are “sealed for the day of redemption.” The indwelling Christ authenticates your salvation and guarantees it for the day when you will ultimately be redeemed.

But it also guarantees that you have the very power of God living in you. 

Why is this so critical for you as a child of God? Because God taking up residence in you is His checkmate on Satan’s power, which is why John reminds us in I John 4:4 that, “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” Yes, through the indwelling Christ you now have the power to overcome Satan himself.

Tomorrow we will travel back to the scene when Jesus reveals this strategy and look deeper at why this is so vital for you to understand and how it can transform your life from defeat to victory. In the meantime, take time to ponder this truth: You are a carrier of the Spirit of God.