Christ In Me
I watched the girls in my gym class learn to square dance. Their red faces proved it to be a good cardiac workout and their giggles showed how much fun they were having. I sat separated from it all. My mom had written a note that I could not participate. I was made to believe dancing was evil and I should have no part in it. I was only 13 and it was one more reason I always felt like an outsider. I’ve never been part of the “in-crowd.” The popular kids never knew my name, looked my way or acknowledged I existed. Probably the biggest reason for my exclusion was the invisible sign I wore around my neck. “It’s against my religion.” No drinking, no smoking, no dancing, no swearing, no movies and no dating non-Christians.
I wasn’t very good at sharing my faith because I used my religion as an excuse for everything. No one knew the real reason I didn’t do certain things and for a long time I didn’t either. I was just an obedient child. My parents were believers and helped me eventually find my own faith, but it took a long time for me to understand what sin really was. Legalism pointed to outward actions but ignored the deeper rooted sins of the heart…which are more indicative of rebellion against God. Christ in me was my only hope.
Because I was raised in a truly genuine Christian home, I saw God’s Word lived out in front of me every day. But if it hadn’t been for my church youth group I’m not sure I would have had a social life. Every activity was centered around our faith in Jesus Christ. We didn’t need the accolades of the world to find acceptance. We had fun together but we also prayed together. We studied the Bible together. Our commonality unified us. Our leaders pointed us toward Christ and strengthened truths we learned at home. This was my “in-crowd.” A young body of believers who were on the same journey of faith. As I matured, I began to understand that because Christ was in me I had no need for the in-crowd.
Read Colossians 1:27
1. What is the mystery made known to the Gentiles?
Read Colossians 1:28-29
2. What was Paul’s ultimate goal for those who listened to his teachings?
3. How does Paul labor? How you can personally apply this to your life.
Read Colossians 2:3
4. What is hidden in Christ? How should this truth motivate us?
Read Colossians 2:6
5. What should believers do once they have received Christ into their lives?
It is a mystery! To think that Jesus lives in us is beyond human comprehension. What an edge we have to know that the Kingdom of God is within us! We learn to regulate our actions as we live in union with Him, not by keeping man-made rules of religion. God’s Kingdom is a matter of the heart. Christ is in us and our responsibility is to remain in Him. As we learn to abide, He will flow from within to the outer areas of our life affecting everything we are and do. Now that’s the best mystery ever!
The mystery made known to the Gentiles was Christ in their bodies and the hope of glory also. It is the same for us today – it is the riches of HIS glory and the mystery among us with Christ in us and also the hope of glory in each one of us.
To the ones who listened to Paul the goal was for every man be perfect in Christ Jesus – Paul preached warning every person and teaching every person in wisdom. Our lives are the only Bible that some people ever see – it is our lives that help bring them to know HIM as their personal savior. The wisdom we show people how we serve Christ Jesus in our lives. We pray each day to be led by the LORD in a way we can bring them to serving the LORD with us. HE works through each one of us who turn our lives over to HIM. All of the LORD’S treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in each one of our lives and we have to be able to show this to the people we come in contact with each day of our lives. The way we find HIS treasures of wisdom and knowledge is reading HIS WORD and studying to show ourselves well equipped in HIS WORD. You and I must find those hidden treasures and HIS wisdom for our lives. When we receive CHRIST JESUS in our lives we must walk with HIM – you and I need to walk very closely in the LORD each day of our lives. You and I want to be ready when the LORD returns for HIS children – OH – WHAT A WONDRFUL DAY THAT WILL BE – when you and I shall hear the trumpet of the LORD and HIM calling all of HIS children HOME to HEAVEN.
Karen, thank you once again for your efforts in these studies. I’m once again catching up after being caught up in a Beth Moore study and now getting back on track here. I’m convinced it is God’s timing that I should read this particular study now as I think God is trying to get me to really focus on the fact that He resides “in me”. I really struggle with that. I don’t think it is a coincidence that I read your study today as the small group we attend just started their fall session. Our first week was 2 videos by 2 different speakers teaching on the Holy Spirit being present within us. I was really impacted by both teachings, then I start reading your studies again and what is it on, but the fact that GOD DWELLS IN ME. Praise God!