Category Archives: Hidden

Bible, Christ, Hidden, Jesus, Scripture

HIDDEN WITH CHRIST

COLOSSIANS 3:3

“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

I am looking forward to playing hide and seek with my seven month old grandson. He and I can hide from his Nana and let her find us. It won’t be hard because I know we will both be giggling. But there is not anyone else I had rather play hide and seek with than him right now. He is such a joy to be around.

Paul tells the Colossian believers to remember where they are. First of all, they are dead! He says, “you have died.” That literally means to die away from. The Greek word is apothnḗskō which “stresses the significance of the separation that always comes with divine closure. It stresses the ending of what is ‘former’ – to bring what (naturally) follows.” (HELPS Word Studies). Then Paul tells them they are “hidden with Christ in God.” Wow! That’s powerful. The verb “is hidden” is kruptó which means to hide or conceal something.

APPLICATION

Let’s continue that thought. We are hidden, we are concealed with Christ. The little Greek word sun/syn is the word for “with.” I looked in the original to see how sun/syn was used. In the previous verses, Paul often uses it as a preposition connected to the main verb. But not here. It stands alone. It literally reads kekryptai syn, has been hidden with. I really believe Paul wanted to emphasize the togetherness we have in Christ.

Who are you closest to in the world right now? For me, it is my wife, then the rest of the family. Friends come in next, followed by acquaintances. Do you see the degression of togetherness? I am the closest to my wife because I spend the most time with her. I want that same togetherness with Jesus. Don’t you?

Then rest, my friend. You are hidden with Christ in God. Nothing can separate you. You are closer than together. Is that even possible? Yes, it is – in God. He is the One Who brings us together through the sacrificial gift He made for us all those many years ago. Together – forever!

Father, I give You praise for hiding me with Christ. I long to be near Him.

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Bible, Hidden, Knowledge, Scripture, Treasures, Wisdom

TREASURE HUNTERS

COLOSSIANS 2:3

“in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

One of the few television shows that I really like to watch is Duck Dynasty’s treasure hunting show. In these episodes the DD bunch search and try to locate buried treasures in some of the most interesting locations. Of course, with Si Robertson there is always going to be a little humor. But these guys are serious about digging for treasure.

Are you serious about finding the treasure Christ has for every believer? Paul tells us that “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are there for you. You must know Christ. He must live in and through you through the Holy Spirit. What a great promise! Let’s take a look at this.

APPLICATION

The English translation is a little misleading here. The phrase “are hidden” is really an adjective describing the wisdom and knowledge. So, you can translate this as, “in whom are all the treasures of hidden wisdom and hidden knowledge.” That does not change the fact that these are in Christ.

The word “treasures” is the Greek word thésauros. Does that look familiar? It is where we get our word “thesaurus.” It refers to a storehouse of treasures, not just one piece. Christ holds all the treasure related to wisdom and knowledge. No other source is as pure and perfect. We can always trust His treasure. It is inexhaustible.

Don’t try to build up treasures here on earth where rust and moth destroy. Any treasure the Duck Dynasty guys find will one day pass away. But the treasures we have in Christ will last for eternity. That’s worth digging for. Amen?

Father, show me the hidden treasures in Jesus today.

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Bible, God's Will, Hidden, Messages, Mystery, Revelation, Scripture, Surprise

THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL

EPHESIANS 1:9

“He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He set forth in Him,”

My wife and I love to watch murder-mysteries on television. Go ahead and judge us, lol. We can binge watch a series trying to figure out “who did it” in each episode. Of course, normally those mysteries are not revealed until the final few minutes of the program, or worse yet, continued to the next episode. We are kept guessing until the end.

That is not what Paul is referring to in today’s verse by using the word “mystery.” God isn’t trying to keep things hidden from us only to surprise us in the end. The Greek word is mustérion, which means “a mystery, secret, of which initiation is necessary; in the NT: the counsels of God, once hidden but now revealed in the Gospel or some fact thereof; the Christian revelation generally; particular truths or details of the Christian revelation.” (Strong’s Concordance).

APPLICATION

Look at some ways this word is used in the New Testament: Matthew 13:11 – the mysteries of the kingdom; 1 Corinthians 2:1 – the mystery of God; Ephesians 3:4 – the mystery of Christ; Ephesians 6:19 – the mystery of the gospel. I could go on and list more. It is used 26 times in the New Testament. God did keep hidden some mysteries which have been revealed through Christ. His plan for the Gentiles was hidden until Christ came, for instance.

Let me ask you something. What is something you know now about God that you did not know ten years ago? Why is that? Was God hiding it from you? Probably not. We discover the mysteries of God the more we spend time with Him. I have been married over 38 years and am still discovering mysteries about my wife. I pray that never stops.

In the same way, as you grow in your faith, God continues to reveal His mysteries to you. Remember the scene in “A Few Good Men” when Jack Nicholson’s character, after being challenged for the truth by Tom Cruise’s defense attorney character? Nicholson shouts, “You can’t handle the truth.” Well, the truth is we couldn’t all the truth God has for us if He dumped it all on us when we first come to Christ. He reveals, He uncovers His mysteries to us as we are ready. Are you ready for more?

Show me more, Lord. I want to know You better each day.

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