Christ In You — the Hope of Glory

Though forever remaining subject to the Father and Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:24-28), the glorified saints shall share many of God’s attributes, his power, his honor and splendor, his brilliance. Daniel 12:3 and Philippians 3:21 show that the bodies and faces of the glorified saints will shine forth with supernatural brilliance, just as that of the resurrected, glorified Christ, symbolically described in Revelation 1. There are not a few who might consider such a teaching blasphemous, but that nevertheless is the true teaching of Scripture. David wrote, “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness” (Psalm 17:15). John wrote, “…we know that when he [the Father] is revealed, we shall be like Him…” (I John 3:2). Your destiny, if you’re a true Christian, and if you remain faithful, is to become like God, sharing in his glory for all eternity.

What assurance do you have that this magnificent, astounding purpose will be fulfilled in you? What is the basis for your hope of glory in God’s Kingdom? Both your destiny as a true Christian, and the means of its accomplishment, is reflected in the phrase, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Your destiny, if you are a true Christian, is to be glorified with God. And that can be accomplished only by Jesus Christ living in you through the Spirit of God. If Christ is living in you, and as long as Christ continues to live in you, you have the hope and the promise of glory with God.

Assuming you have believed the true gospel, repented and received the Holy Spirit, what can you do to assure that Christ will abide in you, dwell in you, to the end, so that the hope you presently have is fulfilled?

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The First Commandment

A Pharisee asked Jesus Christ which is the greatest commandment. Christ answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment (Matthew 22:37-38).

How many of us have given much thought to this greatest commandment? Do you love God? How do you love God? None of us, indeed no one in the flesh, has ever seen God, that is, in his glorified state (except in vision, but not in reality), although of course many saw Jesus Christ when he appeared among mankind in human flesh (John 1:18; I John 4:12; I Timothy 6:16). How can we know if we love God? How is love for God measured?

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Acts 15 — Part 2

It’s been said that there is more confusion about Acts 15 than almost any other chapter of the Bible. How are we to understand what was at issue? What was the actual decision reached, and how was it reached?

The important question for us is what are the implications for us as Christians in terms of obedience to God? In order to understand we must take a closer look at the historical and Scriptural background and at how the Church arrived at its decision.

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Acts 15 — Part 1

Are Christians required to keep the Law of Moses? If someone were to ask you this question, how would you answer? If Christians are required to keep the Law of Moses, what does that mean? If they are not, what does that mean?

This very question was a thorny one for the early Church, and it led to considerable controversy. It has remained a key question among those calling themselves Christian ever since then.

Did the decision of the Church recounted in Acts 15 negate the requirement that Christians must obey God’s commandments? Are Christians free to sin with impunity, based on the results of this conference? And if not, what is the controversy about and what are the ramifications of the decision made?

Learn from the Bible the answers to these questions.

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