When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Christ himself is the present life of the believer, living within and sustaining a hidden inner life woven with God that the world does not see. To be revealed means to be manifested at his second appearing, when he comes in the clouds with exceeding brightness attended by ten thousand times ten thousand angels. Then those who live in him and make him their personal Saviour will also be revealed with him in glory, their mortal bodies made immortal and glorified and made like him. That promise belongs only to those now dead to self and the world, who have mortified fornication, uncleanness, evil desire and covetousness, and have put off anger, malice, filthy speech and lying. Having put on the new man renewed after the Creator's image, they put on mercy, kindness, humility, patience, forgiveness, love and peace, and behold Christ until character is transformed into his likeness for sanctified service.
Words and Context
Christ himself is the believer's present life, and believers live because he lives in them. When he who is their life appears, those raised with him to newness of life will also appear with him in glory. That future sharing belongs to those who live in him, make him their personal Saviour, live his life in this world, and keep life focused on heavenly things and made holy through his grace. Faith in him bears righteous fruit, and those who have purified their souls by obeying the truth will share in the change when the dead are raised and the living changed.
In him life is original, unborrowed and underived, while human life is received from him and sustained only as a derived streamlet from him as fountain and source. Human life is given by its Giver and may be taken back by him. Those whose life is hidden with him will appear with him in glory when he appears, and while awaiting that day they are to use all God-given abilities and capabilities in sanctified service, giving them back to God.
The believer's life is now hidden with him in God, an unseen inner life woven with God's life that the world does not discern. This hidden state grounds the call to set aims on heavenly things and leave sinful earthly desires behind. To appear means to be revealed or manifested at his second appearing. He will then appear in the clouds of heaven enshrouded in a cloud of exceeding brightness made by ten thousand times ten thousand angels and thousands of thousands.
The verse belongs to its immediate context: those risen with him seek the things above where he sits at the right hand of God, and set affection on things above and not on things on the earth. They are dead with life hid with him in God, dead to earth and to self. The promise is an inducement to faithful service and belongs to the obedient who in this probationary life have followed the principles of heaven.
Life Hidden in Christ
Baptism pledges this hidden life, for rising from the water in the likeness of Christ's resurrection marks entry into newness of life devoted to God, dead to earthly things and alive to Him. Those baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost covenant to remain dead to the world, to come out and be separate and touch not the unclean, to seek things above where Christ sits at the right hand of God, and to reflect His character. This life set on heavenly things and putting away sinful conduct is lived not by human strength but by heaven's promised help, with the power and grace of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit awaiting the call to give wisdom and victory over every beguiling of Satan. The fruits of righteousness appear as believers keep their covenant and live faithfully to their baptismal vow, discerning and guarding weak points of character against seducing spirits and lifting up a standard when the enemy comes in like a flood. Those who thus live Christ's life in this world will share His glory at His appearing.
The promise is spoken to the converted and new-born, in whom self has died at receiving the truth and a new life of heavenly origin has been imparted. Their life purposes are changed, they bring the principles of the new life into daily experience, seek their place in the Lord's work, and draw no thread of selfishness into the pattern. Through communion with God this new life produces God-likeness in character, with love, peace, joy, faith, gratitude and hope springing up in the renewed soul, justified and sanctified as God's children in holy union with Christ. Beholding Christ transforms character after the divine similitude, the Holy Spirit removing hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, while high intellectual culture and refinement follow. This hiding comes through a death necessary to growth in grace, death to self and to desires that would dishonor Christ, the opposite of having a name to live while spiritually dead.
Saying one was once converted is not enough, nor can hope rest on what one was at first profession. Conversion must bring a new state before God transforming the entire being, emptying the heart of quick and impatient temper, hate, envy, revenge, retaliation, pride, emulation, and seeking for supremacy so they are not seen in life. Hiding self means being converted every day, serving God with undivided affection, refusing to worship self as an idol or to guide action by the customs, ideas, practices and approval of the world, with religious ideas refined, sanctified, elevated and character thoroughly purified. The converted still face continual temptation to speak and act wrong, with a tempting devil continually on track and a strong undercurrent bearing back toward former sin and natural passions of the unrenewed heart. No heart stays pure without constant salting with divine grace, watching unto prayer, keeping the soul firmly united to Christ, trusting Him every moment, and forcing passage heavenward against sinful indulgence with both oars of faith and works. Few professed Christians can truthfully claim to be dead to the world and living by faith on the Son of God after faithful self-examination, for many are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, carnal at heart with only outward profession, lacking Bible study, prayer, and longing for the Spirit.
This life is kept as faith works in the heart, brings everything under Christ's rule, makes self die so Christ lives within as an abiding power, and draws spiritual nourishment from Him. It is fellowship with the Father and His Son, a connection of priceless value above food, clothing, station and wealth that ennobles and elevates and makes partakers of the divine nature with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Under the baptismal vow believers receive reason, knowledge, affection, speech and property anew from Christ to be used for Him in obedience to the law of God, bound up with His life in cheerful cross-bearing and partaking of His sufferings. Their life is an unseen inner life woven with the life of God that the world does not discern, understand, or appreciate, though it gives a firm foundation beyond the world's corruption and sorrow. Those who have thus remained true, seeking things above and setting affection there and not on earth, will be revealed with Him in glory.
Eternal life is received through Christ Jesus and is not inherited, coming through Christ alone as repentant souls receive the world's light and life by faith in Him and share in redemption. Man cannot sanctify, purify, or bless himself; God alone helps, and by grace, not by merit, selfishness is put away and believers become righteous. Righteousness comes not by dead works but through the merits of the grace of Christ, with God's grace imparted through the everlasting covenant to every soul who sincerely desires it. Hiding self with Christ in God by learning from His Word and life and following Him in heart-purity and love belongs to having Christ as life and leads to appearing with Him in glory. Because Christ lives, the one so hid with heart joined to infinite love and life knit by hidden links to the life of Jesus will live also, with natural and hereditary traits pruned away into a lovable Christian character of meekness, affection, tenderness and sympathy.
Appearing in Glory
When Christ who is the believer's life is revealed, those who live in him and have made him their personal Saviour will be revealed with him in glory. This belongs to those raised with him to newness of life, dead to earth with life hidden with him in God, seeking the things above where he sits at the right hand of God and setting affection on things above and not on things on the earth. Baptism represents his resurrection and pledges this beginning, a new life to reflect his character, made holy through his grace and bearing righteous fruit, so that those who live his life in this world will share his glory at his appearing. The promise is precious and is given as an inducement to faithful service.
Death does not end this life, for it is a brief sleep, a moment of silence and darkness in which those who have died in Christ rest hidden with him in God until he appears. At his return with power and great glory the Lifegiver will call the dead from their prisonhouse, his voice will be heard, the trumpet will sound, the dead in Christ will rise from their graves, and the living will be changed. Resurrection and eternal life are in the Son for all who believe and have him, so that even though dead they shall live.
Their mortal, corruptible bodies will then become immortal and glorified, clothed with immortality and eternal life. The dead will be raised to glorious, immortal life and the living changed by those who have purified their souls by obeying the truth, with Christ made the center of life and affection and eternal life valued above food, clothing, worldly position, and earthly treasure. The power that raised Christ will raise and glorify his church above every power and authority.
They will be like him for they will see him as he is, and their likeness to Christ then revealed will shine forth with the Redeemer's glory as the sun with beams of light from his face upon those who have purified themselves even as he is pure. Fellowship with the Father and the Son now ennobles and elevates, making partakers of the divine nature with joy unspeakable and full of glory, a connection of priceless value above food, clothing, station and wealth, cheaply purchased even at the sacrifice of everything possessed, even life itself. Overcomers will be highly exalted, will share the first resurrection over which the second death has no power, will rest in the New Jerusalem, and will behold the coronation of their King.
Now they are sons of God, though what they shall be does not yet appear, and their princely dignity of Christian character does not yet appear to the world. Their life is an unseen inner life woven with the life of God that the world does not discern, understand, or appreciate. Until what they will be is made visible they are to receive the light of the Sun of Righteousness and share what they have received, looking forward to his appearing with hope.
Conditions for Glory
The promise belongs only to those dead to carnal desires and fierce, burning passions that consume love, gentleness, kindness and Christian courtesy, to the world and to self and to the old sinful self-indulgent character, who remain true, straightforward and honorable in all they do and say, and who have humbled themselves and kept their eyes fixed on God. It is spoken to the converted and new-born, in whom self has died at receiving the truth and a new life of heavenly origin has been imparted, whose life purposes are changed, who bring the principles of the new life into daily experience, seek to understand their place in the Lord's work, and draw no thread of selfishness into the pattern of life. A good daily record in word, thought, action, feeling and family example, a picture in the books of heaven of which they will not be ashamed, leads to a share in glory at the appearing, and those so hidden are kept safe while the Spirit's restraint is withdrawn and foretold signs take place. This hope is not for those who love pleasure more than God, and it is not enough to say one was once converted or to rest hope on what one once was at first profession. Conversion must bring a new state transforming the entire being, emptying the heart of quick and impatient temper, hate, envy, revenge, retaliation, pride, emulation and seeking for supremacy so they are not seen in life, for the converted still face temptation to speak and act wrong with a tempting devil continually on track and a strong undercurrent bearing back to former sin and natural passions of the unrenewed heart, so no heart stays pure without constant salting with divine grace, watching unto prayer, keeping the soul firmly united to Christ, trusting Him every moment, forcing passage heavenward against sinful indulgence and rowing against wind and tide with both oars of faith and works, putting all powers to work for the Saviour who left majesty, honor and riches to save man and gave His life for poor rebellious man with infinite love, clung to with constant persevering fidelity in view of that love and mercy.
They must mortify earthly members — fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil desire and covetousness which is idolatry — for which God's wrath comes on the disobedient, and these wrongs must be sternly and determinedly resisted and cleansed from the soul. The promise belongs to the obedient who in this probationary life have followed the principles of heaven, and to those risen to walk in newness of life to the end of time. Having put off the old man with his deeds, they must put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy speech and lying. Such putting off is the fruit of repentance that needs not to be repented of, revealed by good works and the fruit of the Spirit in working the works of restoration, lifting up, healing the brokenhearted, preaching deliverance, giving sight, setting at liberty, loosing bands, undoing burdens, freeing the oppressed, breaking yokes and remembering the bound as bound with them.
Having put on the new man renewed in knowledge after the image of the Creator, they must put on mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness as Christ forgave, love, peace, thankfulness, and charity as the bond of perfectness, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free. It is given as clear direction for the special and important work to be done, calling those risen and dead to earthly things to live out this character in all word and deed in the name of Jesus with the rich indwelling of the word, and this is the aim set for schools to educate students with thorough knowledge of Christian character and fitness for mission work. This future glory follows rising to new life and is shown now by seeking heavenly things and living in a way that shows the Spirit's transforming work.
They must keep their baptismal vow and covenant, for those buried and raised in the likeness of the resurrection have pledged to live in newness of life, dead to earthly things, discerning and guarding weak points of character against seducing and evil spirits. They are to come out and be separate and touch not the unclean, to remain dead to the world and no longer follow worldly methods and practices, to live apart from its spirit, fashions, customs, ambition, pride, pursuits and evil practices, and to be complete in Him. Seeking things above means living His life, working together with Him, following His steps of self-denial and self-sacrifice, and reproducing His love, grace and unselfish benevolence in character. It requires undivided loyalty, refusing to serve both God and mammon, and freely choosing God's principles so they become part of life, molding the person into the divine likeness as a well of water springing up into everlasting life. God has covenanted that the power and grace of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit will await their call to give power and wisdom to stand as victors over all beguiling and to deny nothing of Christ, lifting up a standard when the enemy comes in like a flood.
Readiness requires forming a Christlike character now in this life, using the power and intelligence and capabilities God has given and placed within reach, with His power helping in every advance step. It comes through daily prayer not to be left to self, with no confidence in self but great confidence in Christ working by the Holy Spirit to mold and fashion and put His own mold of character on the believer, which is the only hope, and He will help even the weakest one. The Christian struggle to live hidden, set on heavenly things and in newness of life in fulfilment of the baptismal pledge depends not on human strength but on heaven's promised help.
Transformed Character and Service
Beholding Christ transforms the character after the divine similitude into His likeness, and as the Holy Spirit removes hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, high intellectual culture with refinement of sentiments and manners follows. This heavenly life reproduces the character of Christ, displaying the same love, grace and unselfish benevolence that marked the life of the Redeemer. Freely choosing God's principles so they become part of the life molds the person into the divine likeness as a well of water springing up into everlasting life. That new life comes through conversion by communion with God and produces God-likeness in character, with love, peace, joy, faith, gratitude and hope springing up in the renewed soul. The Spirit makes those whose life is hidden with Christ in God like Christ in character so they represent Him to others, and setting the heart on heaven and contemplating heavenly things transforms the soul into His likeness.
To be dead with life hidden with Christ in God means to have His mind and His Spirit, with the heart joined to infinite love and the life knit by hidden links to the life of Jesus. That mind quenches ambition to be superior and first, stops pulling down one another to stand at the top, and makes place for the gifts and ability and talent of others. Natural and hereditary traits are pruned away, so the one so hid becomes a lovable Christian recognized by all as having learned meekness, affection, tenderness and sympathy from Christ. Speaking from the good treasure of the heart to strengthen, help, bless and win all around, such a one sows goodness, patience, kindness and love instead of acidity, stubbornness and critical censoriousness. A minister whose gift is not recognized should therefore not complain against God or brethren, nor seek to be exalted as first, nor take credit or praise to himself, but accept his lot and place of appointment according to his ability and draw life and spirit and knowledge from God to increase in efficiency.
The hidden life reproduces Christ's love, grace and unselfish benevolence in character through undivided loyalty that refuses to serve both God and mammon, living Christ's life, working together with Him, and following His steps of self-denial and self-sacrifice. It means working the works of Christ to restore, lift up, heal the brokenhearted, preach deliverance to captives, give sight to the blind, set at liberty the bruised, loose wicked bands, undo heavy burdens, let the oppressed go free, break every yoke, and remember the bound as bound with them. Those united with Christ as co-laborers seek and save perishing souls, and their fitness for heaven and the future life is decided in this time of probation. The mind is to be closely united with Christ's mind, with steady growth in spirituality, righteousness, sanctification and useful service, and with treasure above rather than wealth and display.
While awaiting that day, those whose life is hidden with Christ in God are to use the abilities God has given them in sanctified service. They will give back to God in sanctified service all the capabilities He has given them, practicing self-denial and investing themselves and their means in saving souls. Their service belongs wholly to God, shaped by hiding self in Him and shaping life after His, not by pursuit of worldly recognition. Human life is only a derived streamlet from Him who is the fountain of life, received from the Giver and taken back by Him, which makes faithful stewardship urgent.
Young men and women preparing for service in the ministry are to read and study the whole third chapter of Colossians, giving first attention to self by giving self to the Lord for sanctification to His service. They are to trim the lamp of the soul and replenish it with the oil of the Spirit, taking heed to self and to doctrine, and seeking from Christ that grace and clearness of comprehension that enable successful work for those for whom He gave His life. Christ must be formed within as the hope and strength of the life, for even the most talented worker can do little without Him. Only a good tree with a well-ordered life and godly example can produce good fruit, and a godly example tells more than eloquence without a well-ordered life.
Schools in different localities are to educate and prepare students with thorough knowledge of Christian character and fitness for work in Christian missions, requiring intellectual and divine enlightenment under the sanctification of the Holy Spirit pledged at baptism into Christ's death and rising in the likeness of His resurrection. That fitness is shown in mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, longsuffering, forbearance, forgiveness as Christ forgave, charity as the bond of perfectness, the peace of God ruling in the heart, and the Word of God dwelling richly in all wisdom. Those whose life is Christ are Christ's ambassadors who learn duty and doctrine from the Word under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and carry a message of truth to every station and relationship, parents and children, masters and servants, employers and employed, with the whole heart consecrated for God to mold and fashion after the divine similitude, while the great work to be done will be cut short in righteousness.
Union with Christ brings life and immortality to light so the world sees God in His followers, and those who share this life receive the spirit of light and knowledge that is heaven's wisdom, revealed in their work whether their place of service is highest or lowest. Even business matters are then conducted with a higher wisdom the world calls foolishness, keeping His life of perfect obedience constantly in view. Keeping Him in view makes beholders more nearly resemble Him in character, increases their efficiency in working for those in their charge, and lifts them far above the trials and perplexities of this life and the contamination of worldly schemes. Christ's character is to shape home and business life and life in the church, expressed in daily conduct by walking in the light and doing God's will, so believers become light to the world. Being straightforward and honorable in all they do and say, with a good daily record in word, thought, action, feeling and family example, gives a picture in the books of heaven of which they will not be ashamed.
When self is hidden in Christ, Christ will appear and be seen as the great Worker.
Comfort and Exhortation
This hope holds firm through sickness, trial, bereavement, pain, helplessness, old age and nearness of death, for those who have died in Christ rest until he appears and then appear with him, their future glory joined to his appearing. Those whose life is hidden belong to the Lord whether they live or die, and this brings freedom from trouble and distress over temporal matters, earnest desire to know it is well with the soul, and joy even amid persecution and affliction, because believers live for an immortal inheritance and eternal riches rather than the world's applause. It holds out meeting again around the throne of God with joy, seeing the King in his beauty and beholding his matchless charms, and receiving life which measures with the life of God, and because heaven is worth everything it calls for lifelong persevering untiring effort, living as seeing him who is invisible and living to the glory of God, with self dead and Jesus living within in rest and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, setting affections on heaven and looking for the Saviour rather than pursuing earthly pleasures.
It is the life-security heaven approves, better than worldly insurance or applause, for believers belong to him who purchased body and soul with blood and redeemed them from sin and disobedience into favor with God. Their future glory rests on union with Christ, so bodies as well as spirits are his and are to be kept sacred, and the promise kept in memory against discouragement proves he came to save his people from their sins and can pardon sinners. Present assurance is felt in abiding communion with him, with peace like a river, glory rolling into the heart, supping with Jesus, resting in his love with a realizing sense of the love of God, and strong confidence to call God Father. It is precious union as branch to vine, bound with cords of everlasting unity with Christ and through Christ with the Father, a great blessing and large hope that is precious certainty in time of need, affliction and temptation.
The promise is an inducement to faithful service for those risen with Christ, dead to earth, seeking things above where Christ sits at the right hand of God and setting affections on things above and not on things on the earth. This future glory is worth more than any honor the world offers and gives reason to turn from temporary sinful pleasures and worldly influence, for Christ died so they might live in the earth made new. It is worth seeking and supports self-humiliation and reformatory action, awakening to spiritual purpose and building life on lasting foundations. Being ready to meet him when he returns with power and great glory requires daily receiving his grace in its fulness, his anointing and the earnest of the Spirit, and bearing the fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance, with encouragement that resurrection and eternal life are in the Son for all who believe and have him, so that even though dead they shall live.
It warns that God accepts no divided service and not one jot of the law can be abated, so preparation means having the law written in heart and mind, dying to self and crucifying self-indulgence and love of earthly treasure, having the heart cleansed from sin with Christ placed on the throne, showing his image, being sanctified through the Spirit, putting off self-righteousness and putting on the new man created in righteousness and true holiness, seeking heavenly things, and reaching the highest standard with desire for perfection of character. This hope encourages believers facing opposition to trust God, remain faithful to light received, and stand by conscience rather than yield to pressure from family or the world. Knowing Christ through the word sustains trustful steady faith, for faith is a principle founded in Jesus Christ, not fits and starts of impulse and emotion, and must be kept in constant exercise through diligent persevering study, the word thus becoming a living agency by which believers are sanctified through the truth.
It is instruction for the church to the end of time and for every soul who receives baptism, covenanted to be the Lord's and viewing self as dead to sin, to seek things above and by abiding in Christ show a sinful world what Christ can do. Their life with Christ is shown in love and service to those in need, doing for others what he would do, while at the judgment those who have not lived this way are separated from him and revealed to have made earthly concerns their chief pursuit. Those who have humbled themselves and kept their eyes fixed on God are safely hidden while the Spirit's restraining influence is being withdrawn and the signs foretold are taking place, and the promise answers the charge that a sinner cannot be saved. Jesus is a living Saviour today who throws his everlasting arms around the tempted, care-burdened and darkened when heart and flesh are ready to fail, supplies the precious promise, brings words of assurance and hope to remembrance, gives grace in rich measure to those who ask in sincerity and truth, imputes his righteousness, saves from sin, and rolls back fog and mist to bring into the sunshine of his presence. Because believers are risen with him they are declared through mercy and gracious love to be chosen, adopted, pardoned and justified, and therefore are to love him, praise him, rejoice always, magnify the Lord, seek things above, receive the light of the Sun of Righteousness and share what they have received, for imagined self-excellence is nothing and his virtue must be brought into life, with probationary time, time and opportunities exceedingly valuable and thoughts dwelling on things written in the Scriptures.
Christ himself is the present life of the believer, living within and sustaining a hidden inner life woven with God that the world does not see. To be revealed means to be manifested at his second appearing, when he comes in the clouds with exceeding brightness attended by ten thousand times ten thousand angels. Then those who live in him and make him their personal Saviour will also be revealed with him in glory, their mortal bodies made immortal and glorified and made like him. That promise belongs only to those now dead to self and the world, who have mortified fornication, uncleanness, evil desire and covetousness, and have put off anger, malice, filthy speech and lying. Having put on the new man renewed after the Creator's image, they put on mercy, kindness, humility, patience, forgiveness, love and peace, and behold Christ until character is transformed into his likeness for sanctified service.
Words and Context
Christ himself is the believer's present life, and believers live because he lives in them. When he who is their life appears, those raised with him to newness of life will also appear with him in glory. That future sharing belongs to those who live in him, make him their personal Saviour, live his life in this world, and keep life focused on heavenly things and made holy through his grace. Faith in him bears righteous fruit, and those who have purified their souls by obeying the truth will share in the change when the dead are raised and the living changed.
In him life is original, unborrowed and underived, while human life is received from him and sustained only as a derived streamlet from him as fountain and source. Human life is given by its Giver and may be taken back by him. Those whose life is hidden with him will appear with him in glory when he appears, and while awaiting that day they are to use all God-given abilities and capabilities in sanctified service, giving them back to God.
The believer's life is now hidden with him in God, an unseen inner life woven with God's life that the world does not discern. This hidden state grounds the call to set aims on heavenly things and leave sinful earthly desires behind. To appear means to be revealed or manifested at his second appearing. He will then appear in the clouds of heaven enshrouded in a cloud of exceeding brightness made by ten thousand times ten thousand angels and thousands of thousands.
The verse belongs to its immediate context: those risen with him seek the things above where he sits at the right hand of God, and set affection on things above and not on things on the earth. They are dead with life hid with him in God, dead to earth and to self. The promise is an inducement to faithful service and belongs to the obedient who in this probationary life have followed the principles of heaven.
Life Hidden in Christ
Baptism pledges this hidden life, for rising from the water in the likeness of Christ's resurrection marks entry into newness of life devoted to God, dead to earthly things and alive to Him. Those baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost covenant to remain dead to the world, to come out and be separate and touch not the unclean, to seek things above where Christ sits at the right hand of God, and to reflect His character. This life set on heavenly things and putting away sinful conduct is lived not by human strength but by heaven's promised help, with the power and grace of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit awaiting the call to give wisdom and victory over every beguiling of Satan. The fruits of righteousness appear as believers keep their covenant and live faithfully to their baptismal vow, discerning and guarding weak points of character against seducing spirits and lifting up a standard when the enemy comes in like a flood. Those who thus live Christ's life in this world will share His glory at His appearing.
The promise is spoken to the converted and new-born, in whom self has died at receiving the truth and a new life of heavenly origin has been imparted. Their life purposes are changed, they bring the principles of the new life into daily experience, seek their place in the Lord's work, and draw no thread of selfishness into the pattern. Through communion with God this new life produces God-likeness in character, with love, peace, joy, faith, gratitude and hope springing up in the renewed soul, justified and sanctified as God's children in holy union with Christ. Beholding Christ transforms character after the divine similitude, the Holy Spirit removing hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, while high intellectual culture and refinement follow. This hiding comes through a death necessary to growth in grace, death to self and to desires that would dishonor Christ, the opposite of having a name to live while spiritually dead.
Saying one was once converted is not enough, nor can hope rest on what one was at first profession. Conversion must bring a new state before God transforming the entire being, emptying the heart of quick and impatient temper, hate, envy, revenge, retaliation, pride, emulation, and seeking for supremacy so they are not seen in life. Hiding self means being converted every day, serving God with undivided affection, refusing to worship self as an idol or to guide action by the customs, ideas, practices and approval of the world, with religious ideas refined, sanctified, elevated and character thoroughly purified. The converted still face continual temptation to speak and act wrong, with a tempting devil continually on track and a strong undercurrent bearing back toward former sin and natural passions of the unrenewed heart. No heart stays pure without constant salting with divine grace, watching unto prayer, keeping the soul firmly united to Christ, trusting Him every moment, and forcing passage heavenward against sinful indulgence with both oars of faith and works. Few professed Christians can truthfully claim to be dead to the world and living by faith on the Son of God after faithful self-examination, for many are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, carnal at heart with only outward profession, lacking Bible study, prayer, and longing for the Spirit.
This life is kept as faith works in the heart, brings everything under Christ's rule, makes self die so Christ lives within as an abiding power, and draws spiritual nourishment from Him. It is fellowship with the Father and His Son, a connection of priceless value above food, clothing, station and wealth that ennobles and elevates and makes partakers of the divine nature with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Under the baptismal vow believers receive reason, knowledge, affection, speech and property anew from Christ to be used for Him in obedience to the law of God, bound up with His life in cheerful cross-bearing and partaking of His sufferings. Their life is an unseen inner life woven with the life of God that the world does not discern, understand, or appreciate, though it gives a firm foundation beyond the world's corruption and sorrow. Those who have thus remained true, seeking things above and setting affection there and not on earth, will be revealed with Him in glory.
Eternal life is received through Christ Jesus and is not inherited, coming through Christ alone as repentant souls receive the world's light and life by faith in Him and share in redemption. Man cannot sanctify, purify, or bless himself; God alone helps, and by grace, not by merit, selfishness is put away and believers become righteous. Righteousness comes not by dead works but through the merits of the grace of Christ, with God's grace imparted through the everlasting covenant to every soul who sincerely desires it. Hiding self with Christ in God by learning from His Word and life and following Him in heart-purity and love belongs to having Christ as life and leads to appearing with Him in glory. Because Christ lives, the one so hid with heart joined to infinite love and life knit by hidden links to the life of Jesus will live also, with natural and hereditary traits pruned away into a lovable Christian character of meekness, affection, tenderness and sympathy.
Appearing in Glory
When Christ who is the believer's life is revealed, those who live in him and have made him their personal Saviour will be revealed with him in glory. This belongs to those raised with him to newness of life, dead to earth with life hidden with him in God, seeking the things above where he sits at the right hand of God and setting affection on things above and not on things on the earth. Baptism represents his resurrection and pledges this beginning, a new life to reflect his character, made holy through his grace and bearing righteous fruit, so that those who live his life in this world will share his glory at his appearing. The promise is precious and is given as an inducement to faithful service.
Death does not end this life, for it is a brief sleep, a moment of silence and darkness in which those who have died in Christ rest hidden with him in God until he appears. At his return with power and great glory the Lifegiver will call the dead from their prisonhouse, his voice will be heard, the trumpet will sound, the dead in Christ will rise from their graves, and the living will be changed. Resurrection and eternal life are in the Son for all who believe and have him, so that even though dead they shall live.
Their mortal, corruptible bodies will then become immortal and glorified, clothed with immortality and eternal life. The dead will be raised to glorious, immortal life and the living changed by those who have purified their souls by obeying the truth, with Christ made the center of life and affection and eternal life valued above food, clothing, worldly position, and earthly treasure. The power that raised Christ will raise and glorify his church above every power and authority.
They will be like him for they will see him as he is, and their likeness to Christ then revealed will shine forth with the Redeemer's glory as the sun with beams of light from his face upon those who have purified themselves even as he is pure. Fellowship with the Father and the Son now ennobles and elevates, making partakers of the divine nature with joy unspeakable and full of glory, a connection of priceless value above food, clothing, station and wealth, cheaply purchased even at the sacrifice of everything possessed, even life itself. Overcomers will be highly exalted, will share the first resurrection over which the second death has no power, will rest in the New Jerusalem, and will behold the coronation of their King.
Now they are sons of God, though what they shall be does not yet appear, and their princely dignity of Christian character does not yet appear to the world. Their life is an unseen inner life woven with the life of God that the world does not discern, understand, or appreciate. Until what they will be is made visible they are to receive the light of the Sun of Righteousness and share what they have received, looking forward to his appearing with hope.
Conditions for Glory
The promise belongs only to those dead to carnal desires and fierce, burning passions that consume love, gentleness, kindness and Christian courtesy, to the world and to self and to the old sinful self-indulgent character, who remain true, straightforward and honorable in all they do and say, and who have humbled themselves and kept their eyes fixed on God. It is spoken to the converted and new-born, in whom self has died at receiving the truth and a new life of heavenly origin has been imparted, whose life purposes are changed, who bring the principles of the new life into daily experience, seek to understand their place in the Lord's work, and draw no thread of selfishness into the pattern of life. A good daily record in word, thought, action, feeling and family example, a picture in the books of heaven of which they will not be ashamed, leads to a share in glory at the appearing, and those so hidden are kept safe while the Spirit's restraint is withdrawn and foretold signs take place. This hope is not for those who love pleasure more than God, and it is not enough to say one was once converted or to rest hope on what one once was at first profession. Conversion must bring a new state transforming the entire being, emptying the heart of quick and impatient temper, hate, envy, revenge, retaliation, pride, emulation and seeking for supremacy so they are not seen in life, for the converted still face temptation to speak and act wrong with a tempting devil continually on track and a strong undercurrent bearing back to former sin and natural passions of the unrenewed heart, so no heart stays pure without constant salting with divine grace, watching unto prayer, keeping the soul firmly united to Christ, trusting Him every moment, forcing passage heavenward against sinful indulgence and rowing against wind and tide with both oars of faith and works, putting all powers to work for the Saviour who left majesty, honor and riches to save man and gave His life for poor rebellious man with infinite love, clung to with constant persevering fidelity in view of that love and mercy.
They must mortify earthly members — fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil desire and covetousness which is idolatry — for which God's wrath comes on the disobedient, and these wrongs must be sternly and determinedly resisted and cleansed from the soul. The promise belongs to the obedient who in this probationary life have followed the principles of heaven, and to those risen to walk in newness of life to the end of time. Having put off the old man with his deeds, they must put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy speech and lying. Such putting off is the fruit of repentance that needs not to be repented of, revealed by good works and the fruit of the Spirit in working the works of restoration, lifting up, healing the brokenhearted, preaching deliverance, giving sight, setting at liberty, loosing bands, undoing burdens, freeing the oppressed, breaking yokes and remembering the bound as bound with them.
Having put on the new man renewed in knowledge after the image of the Creator, they must put on mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness as Christ forgave, love, peace, thankfulness, and charity as the bond of perfectness, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free. It is given as clear direction for the special and important work to be done, calling those risen and dead to earthly things to live out this character in all word and deed in the name of Jesus with the rich indwelling of the word, and this is the aim set for schools to educate students with thorough knowledge of Christian character and fitness for mission work. This future glory follows rising to new life and is shown now by seeking heavenly things and living in a way that shows the Spirit's transforming work.
They must keep their baptismal vow and covenant, for those buried and raised in the likeness of the resurrection have pledged to live in newness of life, dead to earthly things, discerning and guarding weak points of character against seducing and evil spirits. They are to come out and be separate and touch not the unclean, to remain dead to the world and no longer follow worldly methods and practices, to live apart from its spirit, fashions, customs, ambition, pride, pursuits and evil practices, and to be complete in Him. Seeking things above means living His life, working together with Him, following His steps of self-denial and self-sacrifice, and reproducing His love, grace and unselfish benevolence in character. It requires undivided loyalty, refusing to serve both God and mammon, and freely choosing God's principles so they become part of life, molding the person into the divine likeness as a well of water springing up into everlasting life. God has covenanted that the power and grace of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit will await their call to give power and wisdom to stand as victors over all beguiling and to deny nothing of Christ, lifting up a standard when the enemy comes in like a flood.
Readiness requires forming a Christlike character now in this life, using the power and intelligence and capabilities God has given and placed within reach, with His power helping in every advance step. It comes through daily prayer not to be left to self, with no confidence in self but great confidence in Christ working by the Holy Spirit to mold and fashion and put His own mold of character on the believer, which is the only hope, and He will help even the weakest one. The Christian struggle to live hidden, set on heavenly things and in newness of life in fulfilment of the baptismal pledge depends not on human strength but on heaven's promised help.
Transformed Character and Service
Beholding Christ transforms the character after the divine similitude into His likeness, and as the Holy Spirit removes hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, high intellectual culture with refinement of sentiments and manners follows. This heavenly life reproduces the character of Christ, displaying the same love, grace and unselfish benevolence that marked the life of the Redeemer. Freely choosing God's principles so they become part of the life molds the person into the divine likeness as a well of water springing up into everlasting life. That new life comes through conversion by communion with God and produces God-likeness in character, with love, peace, joy, faith, gratitude and hope springing up in the renewed soul. The Spirit makes those whose life is hidden with Christ in God like Christ in character so they represent Him to others, and setting the heart on heaven and contemplating heavenly things transforms the soul into His likeness.
To be dead with life hidden with Christ in God means to have His mind and His Spirit, with the heart joined to infinite love and the life knit by hidden links to the life of Jesus. That mind quenches ambition to be superior and first, stops pulling down one another to stand at the top, and makes place for the gifts and ability and talent of others. Natural and hereditary traits are pruned away, so the one so hid becomes a lovable Christian recognized by all as having learned meekness, affection, tenderness and sympathy from Christ. Speaking from the good treasure of the heart to strengthen, help, bless and win all around, such a one sows goodness, patience, kindness and love instead of acidity, stubbornness and critical censoriousness. A minister whose gift is not recognized should therefore not complain against God or brethren, nor seek to be exalted as first, nor take credit or praise to himself, but accept his lot and place of appointment according to his ability and draw life and spirit and knowledge from God to increase in efficiency.
The hidden life reproduces Christ's love, grace and unselfish benevolence in character through undivided loyalty that refuses to serve both God and mammon, living Christ's life, working together with Him, and following His steps of self-denial and self-sacrifice. It means working the works of Christ to restore, lift up, heal the brokenhearted, preach deliverance to captives, give sight to the blind, set at liberty the bruised, loose wicked bands, undo heavy burdens, let the oppressed go free, break every yoke, and remember the bound as bound with them. Those united with Christ as co-laborers seek and save perishing souls, and their fitness for heaven and the future life is decided in this time of probation. The mind is to be closely united with Christ's mind, with steady growth in spirituality, righteousness, sanctification and useful service, and with treasure above rather than wealth and display.
While awaiting that day, those whose life is hidden with Christ in God are to use the abilities God has given them in sanctified service. They will give back to God in sanctified service all the capabilities He has given them, practicing self-denial and investing themselves and their means in saving souls. Their service belongs wholly to God, shaped by hiding self in Him and shaping life after His, not by pursuit of worldly recognition. Human life is only a derived streamlet from Him who is the fountain of life, received from the Giver and taken back by Him, which makes faithful stewardship urgent.
Young men and women preparing for service in the ministry are to read and study the whole third chapter of Colossians, giving first attention to self by giving self to the Lord for sanctification to His service. They are to trim the lamp of the soul and replenish it with the oil of the Spirit, taking heed to self and to doctrine, and seeking from Christ that grace and clearness of comprehension that enable successful work for those for whom He gave His life. Christ must be formed within as the hope and strength of the life, for even the most talented worker can do little without Him. Only a good tree with a well-ordered life and godly example can produce good fruit, and a godly example tells more than eloquence without a well-ordered life.
Schools in different localities are to educate and prepare students with thorough knowledge of Christian character and fitness for work in Christian missions, requiring intellectual and divine enlightenment under the sanctification of the Holy Spirit pledged at baptism into Christ's death and rising in the likeness of His resurrection. That fitness is shown in mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, longsuffering, forbearance, forgiveness as Christ forgave, charity as the bond of perfectness, the peace of God ruling in the heart, and the Word of God dwelling richly in all wisdom. Those whose life is Christ are Christ's ambassadors who learn duty and doctrine from the Word under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and carry a message of truth to every station and relationship, parents and children, masters and servants, employers and employed, with the whole heart consecrated for God to mold and fashion after the divine similitude, while the great work to be done will be cut short in righteousness.
Union with Christ brings life and immortality to light so the world sees God in His followers, and those who share this life receive the spirit of light and knowledge that is heaven's wisdom, revealed in their work whether their place of service is highest or lowest. Even business matters are then conducted with a higher wisdom the world calls foolishness, keeping His life of perfect obedience constantly in view. Keeping Him in view makes beholders more nearly resemble Him in character, increases their efficiency in working for those in their charge, and lifts them far above the trials and perplexities of this life and the contamination of worldly schemes. Christ's character is to shape home and business life and life in the church, expressed in daily conduct by walking in the light and doing God's will, so believers become light to the world. Being straightforward and honorable in all they do and say, with a good daily record in word, thought, action, feeling and family example, gives a picture in the books of heaven of which they will not be ashamed.
When self is hidden in Christ, Christ will appear and be seen as the great Worker.
Comfort and Exhortation
This hope holds firm through sickness, trial, bereavement, pain, helplessness, old age and nearness of death, for those who have died in Christ rest until he appears and then appear with him, their future glory joined to his appearing. Those whose life is hidden belong to the Lord whether they live or die, and this brings freedom from trouble and distress over temporal matters, earnest desire to know it is well with the soul, and joy even amid persecution and affliction, because believers live for an immortal inheritance and eternal riches rather than the world's applause. It holds out meeting again around the throne of God with joy, seeing the King in his beauty and beholding his matchless charms, and receiving life which measures with the life of God, and because heaven is worth everything it calls for lifelong persevering untiring effort, living as seeing him who is invisible and living to the glory of God, with self dead and Jesus living within in rest and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, setting affections on heaven and looking for the Saviour rather than pursuing earthly pleasures.
It is the life-security heaven approves, better than worldly insurance or applause, for believers belong to him who purchased body and soul with blood and redeemed them from sin and disobedience into favor with God. Their future glory rests on union with Christ, so bodies as well as spirits are his and are to be kept sacred, and the promise kept in memory against discouragement proves he came to save his people from their sins and can pardon sinners. Present assurance is felt in abiding communion with him, with peace like a river, glory rolling into the heart, supping with Jesus, resting in his love with a realizing sense of the love of God, and strong confidence to call God Father. It is precious union as branch to vine, bound with cords of everlasting unity with Christ and through Christ with the Father, a great blessing and large hope that is precious certainty in time of need, affliction and temptation.
The promise is an inducement to faithful service for those risen with Christ, dead to earth, seeking things above where Christ sits at the right hand of God and setting affections on things above and not on things on the earth. This future glory is worth more than any honor the world offers and gives reason to turn from temporary sinful pleasures and worldly influence, for Christ died so they might live in the earth made new. It is worth seeking and supports self-humiliation and reformatory action, awakening to spiritual purpose and building life on lasting foundations. Being ready to meet him when he returns with power and great glory requires daily receiving his grace in its fulness, his anointing and the earnest of the Spirit, and bearing the fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance, with encouragement that resurrection and eternal life are in the Son for all who believe and have him, so that even though dead they shall live.
It warns that God accepts no divided service and not one jot of the law can be abated, so preparation means having the law written in heart and mind, dying to self and crucifying self-indulgence and love of earthly treasure, having the heart cleansed from sin with Christ placed on the throne, showing his image, being sanctified through the Spirit, putting off self-righteousness and putting on the new man created in righteousness and true holiness, seeking heavenly things, and reaching the highest standard with desire for perfection of character. This hope encourages believers facing opposition to trust God, remain faithful to light received, and stand by conscience rather than yield to pressure from family or the world. Knowing Christ through the word sustains trustful steady faith, for faith is a principle founded in Jesus Christ, not fits and starts of impulse and emotion, and must be kept in constant exercise through diligent persevering study, the word thus becoming a living agency by which believers are sanctified through the truth.
It is instruction for the church to the end of time and for every soul who receives baptism, covenanted to be the Lord's and viewing self as dead to sin, to seek things above and by abiding in Christ show a sinful world what Christ can do. Their life with Christ is shown in love and service to those in need, doing for others what he would do, while at the judgment those who have not lived this way are separated from him and revealed to have made earthly concerns their chief pursuit. Those who have humbled themselves and kept their eyes fixed on God are safely hidden while the Spirit's restraining influence is being withdrawn and the signs foretold are taking place, and the promise answers the charge that a sinner cannot be saved. Jesus is a living Saviour today who throws his everlasting arms around the tempted, care-burdened and darkened when heart and flesh are ready to fail, supplies the precious promise, brings words of assurance and hope to remembrance, gives grace in rich measure to those who ask in sincerity and truth, imputes his righteousness, saves from sin, and rolls back fog and mist to bring into the sunshine of his presence. Because believers are risen with him they are declared through mercy and gracious love to be chosen, adopted, pardoned and justified, and therefore are to love him, praise him, rejoice always, magnify the Lord, seek things above, receive the light of the Sun of Righteousness and share what they have received, for imagined self-excellence is nothing and his virtue must be brought into life, with probationary time, time and opportunities exceedingly valuable and thoughts dwelling on things written in the Scriptures.