Knowing Christ in a deeper way

When Christ our life is manifested, then you also will be manifested with Him in glory. – Col. 3:4 [emphasis added]

Much like I found myself 15 or more years ago, many who have known nothing but the traditional teachings of Christianity, know Christ only as their savior and redeemer. As essential as that is, the Lord never intended for us to stop there. Else, how could Paul write to the Colossians, “When Christ our life is manifested”?

The sad truth is that Christ is not “our life”—at least not for most Christians today. I know he certainly was not for me for my first 20 or so years as a Christian. And I was considered a Bible scholar amongst my Christian peers.

Yes! We need to find our way well beyond the redeeming work of Christ to Christ as life—as our life.

“…God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of Glory.” – Col. 1:27

“Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in Him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:4f