Today we continue our series, “As Jesus Is”, under the banner of the overall series for the year, “Supernatural Manifestation.” We have been looking at 1 John 4:16,17 for months. I have added several passages to it, as I am led of the Father to teach you concerning ALL He gave you when He gave you His Son. Today we embark on a new journey, with a new passage. For the next few messages we will walk our way through some of what the Apostle Paul said in his opening remarks to the believers in Colossae.
The Apostle John said:
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
(1 John 4:16, 17 KJV)
The Apostle Paul said:
“Now Christ is the visible expression of the invisible God. He existed before creation began, for it was through him that everything was made, whether spiritual or material, seen or unseen. Through him, and for him, also, were created power and dominion, ownership and authority. In fact, every single thing was created through, and for him. He is both the first principle and the upholding principle of the whole scheme of creation.”
(Colossians 1:15-17 J. B. Phillips)
Paul continued:
“I am happy in my sufferings for you. There is much that Christ must still suffer. And I gladly accept my part of those sufferings in my body for the good of his body, the church. I became a servant of the church because God gave me a special work to do. This work helps you. My work is to tell the complete message of God. This message is the secret truth that was hidden since the beginning of time. It was hidden from everyone for ages, but now it has been made known to God’s holy people. God decided to let his people know just how rich and glorious that truth is. That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory.”
(Colossians 1:24-27 Easy To Read)
We will take our time and walk through this passage. For today, I will simply provide you a high level overview.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- Paul taught us that Christ Jesus was the visible expression of an invisible God. People could not see God, but they could see Jesus. Today, you are supposed to continue in the same vein. People cannot see Jesus, but they can see you. God was IN Jesus and He is also IN you! You may be the only Jesus people will ever see. Live like it! Christ is IN you, He is your hope for glory! All the glory which shall be revealed in you is not tied to you or your goodness, it is tied to the fact that God Himself has taken up residence INSIDE of you, and He is good! Enter this day with this mindset: Christ is living INSIDE of me and I will let Him out today!
- John explained to us that everything made, was made by Jesus. There is nothing that was made, that was not made by Him (John 1). Paul then teaches us that it was all made BY Him and it was also made FOR Him! He made it all according to His own will and He made it all for His own pleasure (Col 1). Paul then tells us that Jesus “is both the first principle and the upholding principle of the whole scheme of creation.” Jesus created everything and everything is upheld by His power. Jesus holds everything together. Think about that for a moment. Meditate, for a minute, on the type of power Jesus has. Now think about this: that very same Jesus is LIVING IN YOU! If you can ever get to the point where you see yourself, “As Jesus is, in this world”, you will live a life of no limits. Because Jesus is limitless!
- Paul told us that in Jesus, and for Jesus, were created “power and dominion, ownership and authority.” The ability to rule, govern, dominate and lead this planet were all created by Jesus and for Jesus. And that very same Jesus lives IN you! If you believe that, it should impact your perspective as you enter this day and this week.
- Paul went to great lengths to explain the awesomeness of the power Jesus operates in. He then explained that he was called to preach a mystery; a mystery that was hidden, but God called him to reveal it. Here’s the mystery, as Paul stated it: “Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory.”
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. You have already given me the victory through Your own Son, my Lord, Jesus the Christ. All things were made by Jesus. Without Him was nothing made, that was made. Everything was created by Him and for Him. Jesus upholds all of creation by His power. Jesus has power and dominion, ownership and authority. And this very same Jesus LIVES IN ME! Christ IN me, the hope of glory! This is why I boldly declare: “As Jesus is, so am I, in this world!” I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
