Christ in You

America’s Got Talent is a popular TV show that shows off talent. There was a five-year-old girl who sang with so much excitement and joy that a judge compared her to Shirley Temple.  He said Shirley Temple is living somewhere inside of you and the little girl immediately answered, “Not Shirley Temple, Jesus!”

In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he describes the supremacy of Christ. Colossians 1:18 is an interesting phrase that Paul uses saying that Jesus is “the first born among the dead.” Jesus was the first to die and rise again in a body that wouldn’t die.  Jesus has supremacy over all things. (vs. 18)  He was also the head of the church (Vs. 18-20).  Verse 15 tells us that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God”. Because Jesus is both fully God and fully man, He is the only one to “reconcile” all things to God through His death on the cross (1:20).

The little girl contestant was sure that her joy came from Jesus living in her.  Scripture assures us of the reality that all who trust in Jesus not only receive the promise of eternal life with God, but also Jesus’ presence living in them through His spirit – our hearts become Jesus’ home. (Colossians 1:27)  Jesus’ presence in our hearts fills us with countless reasons for gratitude.  He brings the ability to live with purpose and energy. (Colossians 1:28-29)  Jesus cultivates joy in our hearts in both times of celebration and struggle. Christ’s Spirit provides hope in our hearts that God is working all things together for good, even when we cannot see it. (Romans 8:28)

We need to be like this five year old and show the world that Jesus is living in our hearts!

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for making my heart Your home.  Help me to shine so that others will see you living in me. Amen.

Colossians 1:27 – God has chosen to make known….the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Author: Tommy Herndon