To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27 (ESV)
Easter is the time of year that most Christians have set aside to specifically celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The Holy Scriptures leave no doubt that indeed Christ did rise from the dead and was seen by over 500 witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:6). Of course Christ’s resurrection is an event that we should celebrate in our hearts each day. If not for the resurrection we would have neither hope of eternal life nor of a final resurrection of our bodies from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:17-19).
Maybe a good question to ask ourselves during the Easter season is, Is Jesus alive in our hearts? How would I know for sure that Jesus lives in me? Paul wrote, I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 ESV)
So, the first way to know that Christ lives in us is that we have received him by faith as Savior and Lord. The apostle Paul wrote that it is by grace we have been saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8). The second way to know that Christ lives in us is that we continue in a life of faith once we receive Christ. Hebrews tell us that the righteous live by faith and that faith preserves their souls (Hebrews 10:37-39).
What does a life of faith in Christ look like? We could probably take a lifetime to unpack that question, but here are a few ways that we can know that Christ lives in us.
1. We hate our sin, sense a deep conviction over it and readily repent. (Romans 7:15; 2 Corinthians 7:10)
2. We are always striving to kill our sin and live for righteousness. (Romans 6:11-14)3. We hate the things of the world. (1 John 2:15)
4. We live a life worthy of the name of Christian. (Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:27; Colossians 1:10)
5. We love others, especially other Christians. (Matthew 5:43-45; 1 John 3:10, 14)
6. We obey God’s commandments. (Acts 5:32; Romans 2:13; James 1:22-24)
7. Jesus is our most valuable treasure. (Mark 12:30)
It is imperative that we make a habit of looking at our lives in the mirror to see if we are walking in the faith. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! (2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV)
Paul also exhorted us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. As we work out our salvation we can be at peace that God will keep us in the faith. Paul assured us that God is working in us for his will and pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13). It is by God’s power through faith that we are being guarded for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:5).
Have you put your faith in Christ? Are you living a life of faith in Christ?
Scriptures for Meditation:
Romans 1:17; 3:28
Colossians 2:13