Experiencing God's Presence #43

Experiencing God's Presence #43

This is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

Colossians 1:27

The New Testament contains quite a few verses that we often “believe” without really believing. One of them is that the same Jesus who walked this planet two millennia ago is actually alive in us, moving and working through us now. It’s a great theological principle that slips from our consciousness quickly and easily, in part because it’s such a mystery. We’re more comfortable with concrete, practical reality, not invisible realms we can only access by diving into spiritual depths. We affirm the principle of the mystical union between Jesus and us while shying away from the actual experience of it.

There’s a cost to not consciously and constantly embracing “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (NIV). We miss His Presence. Pastor and scholar A. W. Pink agreed: “One grand reason why we have so little of His sacred Presence with us, and His power and influence manifested among us may be laid to the account of neglecting to preach supernatural, spiritual truth, and the mysteries of the everlasting Gospel.” When we dwell on this mystery and let it sink in, we experience it more. When we don’t, we don’t.

Our only hope of truly knowing the glory God has given us—the beauty and weight of His goodness—is in becoming aware that Jesus is in us without fear of the supernatural or mystical aspects of this truth. The actual Being who walked dusty roads with His disciples, unveiled His glory on a mountain, and did miracles that stunned those around Him is in those who believe. Right now. And though it’s always true, we only experience it when we know it and believe it. It’s our responsibility and privilege to know and believe it well.

Jesus, You really are in me. I know that. But I want to know it in actual experience every day—to see the evidence of You in me and to know the hope of glory. Please display this mystery in me.