What does "your life is now hidden" mean for your spiritual identity? Rooted in a New Reality Colossians 3:3 declares, “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” When you trusted Christ, something decisive happened: • Your old self—ruled by sin—actually died at the cross (Romans 6:6). • A new life was born, inseparably joined to Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). • That new life is “with Christ in God,” utterly secure and entirely defined by Him. What “Hidden” Really Means “Hidden” (Greek: krypto) carries three overlapping ideas: 1. Concealed from view • The deepest truth about you is invisible to the world’s eyes (1 John 3:1). • Your worth no longer hinges on human labels but on God’s verdict. 2. Securely kept • God is your refuge: “He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble” (Psalm 27:5). • Jesus promises, “No one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28–29). 3. Stored up for future unveiling • Colossians 3:4 continues: “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” • Your hidden life will be revealed in full when Christ returns (Romans 8:18–19). Safely Kept in Christ Because your life is tucked away “with Christ in God,” you enjoy: • Unshakeable protection—nothing reaches you without passing through Him first (Psalm 91:1). • Permanent acceptance—“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). • Constant provision—“My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). A Life Shaped by Union Hiddenness speaks of union. You are: • Co-crucified—“I have been crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20). • Co-raised—“God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 2:6). • Co-heirs—Christ in you is “the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Spiritual identity is no longer self-constructed; it is Christ-constructed. Living Out the Hidden Life Paul moves from identity to action (Colossians 3:5-17). Because your life is hidden: • Put to death earthly desires (v. 5). • Strip off the old habits of anger, malice, and lies (vv. 8-9). • Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience (v. 12). • Let Christ’s peace rule and His word dwell richly (vv. 15-16). Behavior flows from being. You live differently because you are different. Looking Toward the Revelation Your hidden life guarantees a future glory: • “When He appears, we shall be like Him” (1 John 3:2). • Present sufferings prepare an eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17). • Hope fuels holiness—fixing your mind on things above empowers daily obedience (Colossians 3:2). Key Takeaways • Hidden means secure, concealed from worldly assessment, and reserved for future display. • Your truest identity is wrapped in Christ’s own life, beyond reach of sin, Satan, or circumstance. • Daily choices flow from this secure union—put off the old, put on the new, and live expectantly for the day your hidden life is fully revealed. |
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