The phrase “Christ in you, the hope of glory” comes from Colossians 1:27 and points to one of the most profound truths in Scripture – that Christ himself takes up residence inside every believer. This indwelling of Christ is the source of our hope for experiencing the glory of God both now and in eternity. Let’s take a closer look at the meaning and significance of Christ dwelling in us as our hope of glory.
The Context of Christ in You
The book of Colossians was written by the apostle Paul to counter false teaching that was infiltrating the church at Colossae. This false teaching claimed that faith in Christ was not enough for salvation and spiritual growth, but that believers also needed to follow certain rituals, philosophies, and ascetic practices. Paul emphasizes that all believers have already been reconciled to God through Christ’s death on the cross (Col 1:22). All the fullness of deity dwells in Christ (Col 2:9), so salvation and spiritual maturity come through faith in Christ alone. No additional rituals or philosophies are needed.
It is in this context that Paul proclaims the wonderful truth that God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles “the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27). The “mystery” is that Gentiles are now included as equal heirs of the blessings of salvation through their faith in Jesus (Eph 3:6). The magnificent truth hidden for ages but now revealed is that not only has Christ reconciled us to the Father, but He actually comes to live inside every believer!
Christ Dwells in Our Hearts through Faith
Paul declares that Christ dwelling in believers is a direct result of our faith in the gospel: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20). When we put our faith in Christ, He sends the Holy Spirit to regenerate our dead hearts and take up residence within us. Jesus assured His disciples of this prior to His crucifixion: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth…you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:16-17). Through faith we are mystically united to Christ as the Spirit seals us and dwells within us (Eph 1:13, 4:30).
The Implications of Christ In Us
So what does it mean on a practical level to have Christ Himself living inside of us? First, His presence guarantees our salvation and acceptance before God. Paul tells the Ephesians that in Christ “we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory” (Eph 1:11-12). Our salvation rests securely in His sovereign plan and purpose fulfilled through Christ in us.
Secondly, His presence ensures we can live the Christian life. Paul explains, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Phil 4:13). We rely on His power at work within us to produce His character in our lives, what the Bible calls “the fruit of the Spirit” – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). This happens as we submit to the inner working of the Holy Spirit.
Thirdly, His presence guarantees our future hope. Just as Jesus was raised bodily from the dead, so too will our mortal bodies be resurrected when He returns, transformed into immortal bodies (1 Cor 15:20, 51-57). And just as Jesus ascended into heaven, so too will we be welcomed into the glorious presence of God for eternity (John 14:2-3).
The indwelling Christ is therefore the key to our sanctification in this life and our glorification in the next. Paul exclaims, “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Col 3:4). Christ in us is the hope of resurrection glory!
Growing in the Knowledge of Christ
Since Christ dwelling in us is the source of our new life both now and forever, Paul prays that the Ephesians would be “strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Eph 3:16-17). He prays the same for the Colossians, “that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:2-3). We grow spiritually and lay hold of the hope of glory by continually growing in our knowledge of and intimacy with Christ.
Paul uses the metaphor of putting off old clothes and putting on new ones to describe the process of being “renewed in the knowledge” of our Creator (Col 3:10). As we grow closer to Christ, we put off more of our old sinful ways and put on more of His character. We become more patient, kind, humble, obedient and loving as we fix our eyes on Jesus and follow Him each day. The Spirit continually sanctifies us until one day we will be perfectly conformed to the image of Christ (1 John 3:2). Our hope of glory rests in the ever-deepening work of Christ transforming our lives.
Seeking the Things Above
Since Christ in us is our hope of heavenly glory, Paul instructs us to set our hearts and minds on the eternal rather than the temporal: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Col 3:2). We live in this world as citizens of the kingdom of light (Phil 3:20, Col 1:13). Though we love and serve unbelievers, “our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil 3:20). Christ in us lifts our perspective from the things that are passing away to the glories that await us.
This hope energizes us to live as “children of light” in the midst of a dark world (Eph 5:8). It moves us to use our time, gifts and resources in whatever way will most effectively build Christ’s kingdom. C.S. Lewis explained our mindset like this: “All that is not eternal is eternally out of date. Keep your eyes on Jesus who leads us and perfects our faith.” Keeping eternity in view protects us from frantically chasing the temporal.
Hope That Transforms Us
Christ in us – this is our hope of glory! Though we suffer trials now, Christ is transforming us more into His image each day. And He has promised us “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade” in heaven (1 Pet 1:4). No more tears, pain, death or mourning will mar His perfect kingdom (Rev 21:4). We will eternally see, know and adore our glorious God face-to-face. This is our hope as we walk by faith!
Does this hope thrill your heart? Are you stirred to love Christ more for choosing to dwell in you? Let us join Paul in proclaiming exultantly, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us!” (Rom 8:18). May the astounding reality of Christ in us energize us to live each moment in light of His coming glory.
