Christ, our Life. Colossians 3:4. Our current life with Christ is a preview of eternity. Jesus Christ empowers us to live for Him now and offers hope for greater things when He returns. The main message of this chapter is how we should live today in light of His imminent return. We have eternal life now, empowered by God, to glorify Christ, who is our life. He is the core and the focus of everything we do. He makes everything of value happen. As we wait for His return, we should focus on what is above and ahead of us. Living with purity, integrity, and a focus on eternal things will bring us true satisfaction in life now.
What has changed in my life now that I am found in Him? When one is saved, a new life begins consistent with our new nature, as we become a new creation in Christ Jesus. We develop a new outlook on ourselves—we see ourselves through God's eyes. It is humbling to know He loves us—that assurance keeps us humble and dependent on Him. It also gives real meaning to life as it unfolds before us each day. Reading the Bible and praying are not just ritualistic acts, though they are good habits. God truly speaks in ways I can comprehend and learn from. He then sends us into the world and guides us with His hand, counsel, truth, and faithfulness.
Christ is the source of our spiritual life. He is the foundation upon which we build our lives. To be in Christ means we are safe and secure through Him, who enables us to live for Him as the purpose of our current existence. Our Savior from sin is also our Savior from everything that would frighten us or cause us to doubt why we are still in these bodies of sinful flesh.
He imparts truths that strengthen us and bring peace to our minds. When we speak, He enables us to choose the right words with grace and sincerity. As the road unfolds before us, even though we cannot see the end, we walk by faith, focusing on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Looking back at the path we've traveled in this journey of life, we are awed by the trail we have left as we walk in the light, just as He is in the light.
Christ is our life here and now; He is not dead but alive in us. When we trust in Him, He opens the door so we can have fellowship with Him and His children. He brings people into our lives and allows us to be part of His plan to advance His work and spread the Gospel. God's work is ongoing, but He grants us the privilege of sharing in that work with Him and His servants.
In this time of training called life, He is preparing us for what lies ahead in eternity. Many unsaved people say, "When you're dead, you're dead. There is nothing after this life is over." But those of us who know Christ and whose lives are rooted in Him understand that this is just the beginning of an eternal life full of meaning and purpose that will last forever. When He appears in His physical form and glory, we will be with Him in His reign.
The appearance with Him in glory is part of the second coming of Christ, when He will be seen, honored, and worshipped worldwide as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. That day of revelation, when He who was once rejected will reign, is when “He will be admired in all them that believe.” We must be faithful to Him now, and we will not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
What glory will be revealed when the Lord appears in His splendor, claiming the authority that is rightfully His! There will be no humiliating reproaches like those He faced when His first appearance ended at the cross. There will be countless angels, and saints will celebrate His return in glory. His name and character will be honored, and a glorious future will begin.