The Hope of Glory

Colossians 1:27 - To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.My mind always battles the truth that Christ is in me. My flesh desires to chase the things of the world and seek my own interests and constantly I have to stop and recognize that Christ is in me. Easier said than done. I sometimes think, “I woke myself up, I took a deep breath, I got the food out of the fridge and I ate it.” I often wrestle with the fact that Christ is in me and guides my every word, supplies my every breath and orders my every step on this Earth. When I don’t take up my cross daily, I start to believe that I am in control of my life instead of giving myself to Christ and allowing Him to take the lead.If I am to be like Christ, I am to live like Christ. I am to be a sacrificial friend, husband, co-worker and leader. I am to give of myself to others in obedience to Christ. I am to believe He supplies my every need and blessing. How easy it is to follow my desires on this Earth. Christ undoubtedly works inside each of us to change who we are, but if that is the end of the story then we are missing the point. His work inside us is meant to flow over into our love and grace towards others in bringing glory to Him. Our flesh longs to be fulfilled with temporary joy while the Holy Spirit inside of us longs to bring glory to Christ.The mystery in Colossians 1:27 is the hope of glory to come. Colossians 1:28-29 states, “Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” Our glory to come is when we appear in His glory as Romans 8:18 also says, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”Who is leading us? Who is our trust in? Do we represent a glorified self or a glorified Christ?