hope of glory

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 1:27

The “them” at the beginning of this verse are the “saints” of verse twenty-six. Paul was delighted to rejoice in his ministry of bringing the gospel to the Gentiles. He is rejoicing in the overwhelming response the gospel has had among the Gentiles. And he is encouraging the Colossian church that they are part of a much bigger work. God is building a people for Himself — saints — holy ones of God’s own choosing — all around the world. And in each and every believer Christ is living and building His church. And that church will last as a testament of His power and glory forever.

This sustaining perspective and hope still brings much needed encouragement. The world may seem hopeless. In Christ we are not however without hope. The world may seem out of control and doomed. It certainly is, but with Christ in us, His people are not that way. We are bought, redeemed, made holy, and empowered to bring glory to God the Father through Christ! Christ is in us, the hope of glory!

And so I have hope today. No world event will ever change that. No disease can end that eternal hope. Nothing can take away Who Jesus is, or what He has done for me.