Christ in You, the Hope of His Glory! Col. 1: 27
Paul’s ministry was to the Gentiles, although he was a Jew himself and formerly persecuted and killed Christians. Saul, was his name prior to his conversion. He was called by Jesus Christ, himself, to spread the “good news” to the Gentiles. This is why Paul could join into the apostleship. Apostle means “’one who is sent’…it primarily refers to the 12 men Christ chose to accompany Him and Matthaias (Acts 1:15-26), whom the other apostles chose to replace Judas (MacArthur Study Bible).
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Keep in mind:
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Paul was a Jewish man, but he was called to minister to the Gentiles!
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​God calls, and we respond. Even if what He is calling us to do doesn’t make sense to us, we must walk in obedience to His will.
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No one could stop Paul after he was called to minister to the Gentiles. He protected his call and contended for his faith.
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Be confident in your call. I’m sure Paul was known to all as a sell-out! Be a sell-out for Christ! Initially, even to the disciples, he was not to be trusted, but he walked worthy of his call and overtime, his sincere devotion to Christ proved itself.
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Paul’s purpose was to remind the Colossian Church that it was Christ in them who would make the difference in their lives. He fulfilled the law and the prophets (Matt. 5:17). “The Old Testament predicted the coming of the Messiah and that the Gentiles would partake of salvation” (MacArthur Study Bible). We see this in Isa. 42:6; 45:21 and in many other prophetic Scriptures. However, these believers did not realize that Christ would live in them. He would fulfill the call to righteousness in their lives. A word about Christ’s complete work on the cross.
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Christ defeated the law and the prophets so that you would never have to compete with the Old Testament legalistic bondage. He stands for us and the stain that sin left within us is cleared because of his sufferings, death, burial, and resurrection. He did it all by himself! Thank you, Lord!
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Christ’s work on the cross also continues to satisfy us. He now works to sanctify us, meaning, he sets us apart from the world as we model his life and are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2). So, you must be in the word to be transformed by it!
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What about the Hope of Christ glory? The hope we have in Christ Jesus will never end. God calls us! We embrace His call! Jesus continues the work, by the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Remember he told his disciples that he would not leave them comfortless. He would send the comforter, the helper, the Holy Spirit Himself. So, remember God is with you! Rom. 5:3-8 says that God is working out His character in and through us, so…there is a glory that is being revealed through our tribulations, it should inspire us to persevere through our suffering. Our hope is in the Lord! Hope, therefore, keeps us going because we are focused on God’s love and the Spirit of God who is leading us.
Keep in mind:
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The faith we have in Christ increase by what we hear, see, and do. Therefore, our hope in Christ becomes stronger overtime.
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It is the Spirit of God who produces Christ-like character in us. We can’t live this life apart from the Holy Spirit. He dwells in every believer (1 Cor. 3:16), but we must be filled with the Spirit to maintain righteous living (Eph. 5:18).
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I tell ya, it is a mystery of what God will do! So, when you think you are defeated, remember that Paul was in chains and don’t forget about Jesus’ sufferings and atonement for you. He is our hope! He qualifies us, and he will make us shine!
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Encourage and Be Encouraged!
