Mystery Story

I'm a sucker for mysteries. As a kid, I loved listening to Sherlock Holmes, reading Hardy Boys, and watching Unsolved Mysteries. (There's just something about Robert Stack's voice that creeps me out!)

Even today, I'm fascinated by mysteries. Who shot JFK? What really happened to Jon Benet? Did O.J. do it? I could go on and on. But there's an even greater mystery in Colossians chapter one, that Paul finally reveals.

²⁶ The mystery of which was hidden for ages and generations [from angels and men], but is now revealed to His holy people (the saints), ²⁷ To whom God was pleased to make known how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ within you, the Hope of glory.

It's the greatest mystery ever revealed, and it's this: CHRIST IS IN YOU.

Now that sounds so trite. We hear it every Sunday. Yet the sad truth is most Christians don't get it. And if we're not careful, we can go through life never realizing our full potential in Christ. So go back to that verse and read it again - this time, think about what you are saying. "Christ in you, the hope of glory". THINK about that! The one who walked on water, healed the sick, and raised the dead - the creator of the universe lives INSIDE of you. If you have made Jesus the Lord of your life, then HE lives in you. If it still hasn't clicked then think of it this way: whatever you have been struggling with, ask yourself if it's too big for God to handle. Do you struggle with doubt? The power of God removes all doubt. Terminal illness? Sickness has no chance in His presence. Depression? He is the God of hope. Addiction? Christ has made you free.

So for every problem you have, you also have the answer. The almighty, all powerful, all knowing, everlasting, loving, and forgiving God lives inside of YOU. He's not some ethereal being that's off in another galaxy. He's in you. At work, at home, at school, in the bathroom, at the restaurant, in your car - in fact, sitting at your computer right now, Christ is there with you. Christianity is the only religion in the world, where the God that is worshipped actually lives inside the worshippers. No other religion can make that claim. There are many beautiful religions in the world, with beautiful people who practice them. But Christianity is the only one with a God that actually lives inside His followers.

Not only does He live in you, but His death, burial and resurrection has transformed you! 2 Corinthians 5:21 says you're the righteousness of God IN CHRIST. Ephesians 1:3 says we are blessed with all spiritual blessings IN CHRIST. Romans 8:2 says we are free from sin and death IN CHRIST. Romans 8:37 says that in all these things we are more than conquerors THROUGH CHRIST. The list goes on and on. But what good is Christ in us if we aren't aware of it? I challenge to think about it daily. Remind yourself that Christ is in you on a regular basis. You see, when you focus on Christ living inside of you, all the problems and struggles around you grow smaller and smaller. Because those struggles that often consume our lives are no match for the power of Christ. So let Him come alive in you. Allow Him to be the focus of your life. Allow His presence to transform every area of your existence. And I promise you, you'll never be the same.

- Josh Webb,
ALTARMOTIVE, drummer