[The saints] to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
— Colossians 1:27 —
Igor G. | Russia
Our God wants to be known and glorified. He wants all nations of the world to worship Jesus as their Lord and Savior. In this passage, Paul explains both to his original readers and to us that the main reason why God made him a minister of the gospel is this—to preach the good news about Jesus to the Gentiles. What was earlier unknown was that both Jews and Gentiles would be united in one community where they will worship God together. Paul proclaimed to the nations that through faith in Christ Jesus they can have access to the blessings of the new covenant: the indwelling presence of Christ through the Spirit, and hope for the coming glorious kingdom (Eph. 2:11–22). Since God is omniscient this plan has been always known to Him. The salvation of the Gentiles was never a Plan B in God’s mind. But why then does Paul call it a mystery? What was earlier unknown was that both Jews and Gentiles would be united in one community where they will worship God together and there will be no ground for divisions between them (Eph. 2:14–16). Christ abolished everything that previously separated these two groups and He arranged everything for them to enjoy sweet brotherly fellowship in one body. Paul calls this news the “glorious gospel” (1 Tim. 1:11), and it’s truly so. This passage reminds all believers that Christ is in us. What an encouragement and joy this truth should produce in our hearts! We are never alone because He is always present with us. And His presence with us now is a foretaste of His future presence with His people. Jesus is truly Immanuel, God with us.
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