THE BIG SECRET?

COLOSSIANS 1:25-27: “God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you. This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.” NLT

OBSERVATION: What is the Big Secret? What is the mystery hidden for centuries and generations past? Everyone has asked this question. It has become the fodder of the unscrupulous snake oil salesmen of our generation.

In the 1800s peddlers preyed on needy people with the promise of a mystery elixir discovered in the deep recesses of some ancient civilization. This mystery elixir would cure everything from the common cold to baldness. People lined up to discover the Big Secret that was now available in a bottle. Money flowed freely as people fell for these empty promises.

Fast forward to the 2000s and the burgeoning internet. Who hasn’t taken a long trip on some post promising to reveal the secret to youth and vitality just discovered in the jungles of Africa? The post goes on and on, repeating the promise of this now-revealed secret that you can only get by ordering the product below. What is the product? Just another bottle of snake oil repackaged as a life-changing supplement.

Does the church ever fall into this trap? You bet! The internet and TV airways are filled with preachers and teachers hawking their latest book which reveals the hidden truths of the Bible that have never been understood until now! The authors claim to reveal a hidden truth that will transform your life. All you have to do is order their book and your life will be transformed forever!

What is wrong with this picture? What is it that motivates this perpetual con? The enemy of our souls takes advantage of the same desire that caused Eve to eat from the forbidden tree and convince Adam to do the same. They both wanted to know the mystery that was hidden. They wanted to be like God and know everything. They were not satisfied with all that God had given them. They wanted what they could not see!

Paul has some good news! There is a mystery, a great secret, that has been hidden from the ages. It has been kept secret for generations and centuries. Yet – God has revealed this truth to the church.

What is this truth? Is it the Old Testament diet? Is it the key to understanding the third and fourth heaven? Is it the unveiling of who the Antichrist will be during the tribulation? Is it the 7 keys to an abundant life?

It is none of these things!

It is the greatest unveiling in the history of the world. It is the greatest truth that one can uncover. It is not sold in stores, packaged in a bottle, or written between the covers of someone’s book. It is the big secret that has been revealed in the hearts of men and women who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.

What is this Big Secret?

“And this is the secret: Christ lives in you.”

Life, a life that is cleansed and forgiven, a life that is being transformed by the power of God, a life that is eternal, does not come from anything that is from the outside. Life, abundant life, eternal life, and an overcoming life, come from the power of Christ in me! It is the gift of salvation and the transformation of the Holy Spirit. It is the promise of being restored to the full glory and purposes of our Creator. Paul writes,

“This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.”

Christ lives in me! This is the Big Secret! This is the mystery of the ages! This is the promise now revealed!

Lord, help me to pause and meditate upon this great truth. Help me to live in the revelation of this promise. Help me to get out of the way so that Christ can live in me and through me in the power of the Holy Spirit. Help me to embrace this Big Secret and share it with others. Grant me the grace to live in the assurance of sharing in Your life, Your promises, and Your glory!

In Jesus’ Name!