Messengers of the GospelSýnishorn

Escape from Mystery

...the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. (Colossians 1:26)

I once participated in an escape room as part of a team-building event. An escape room is a game where people solve a series of puzzles within a certain amount of time to find the key and escape from the room. Keeping track of the clues and trying to piece them together to escape was stressful. Luckily, we were able to solve the puzzles and get the key that unlocked the door. Even though it was all make-believe, we felt the pressure of being trapped.

Some people see the path to Heaven like an eternal escape room. They seek out more knowledge and try to make enough good choices to unlock the door to their own positive eternity. They are desperately searching for the key to life and eternity before their time runs out.

Others are on a different path. I grew up in a devoted, church-going family, and I was certain that I had compiled the resume from my list of church activities to ensure I would be admitted into Heaven. There was no doubt in my mind that I had checked all the necessary religious boxes. The problem was that I was standing at the door and didn’t have the key. I had plenty of religious activity and knowledge about God, but had no personal relationship with Jesus.

Each of these self-centered paths falls short in the presence of a holy God. As spoken by the prophet Isaiah, “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)

Praise God that He provided the solution Himself by coming to earth in the person of Jesus. Jesus is the key to the great mystery everyone has been trying to solve. Paul wrote about this in the book of Colossians.

“God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)

“When you were dead in your sins … God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-14)

What does the mysterious phrase “Christ in you” mean?

Think about the escape room example again for a moment. You have tried everything to find a way out, but then the creator of the room offers to join you and guide you out. What would you do? If I were in that situation, I would stop what I was doing and listen intently to the one who created the room. I would do exactly what they ask.

If you have put your trust in Jesus, you have Christ in you!

You have the hope of glory!

Anyone who repents of their sin and, by faith, trusts in Jesus for their salvation can be saved and begin a personal relationship with God. But that is only the beginning. Not only have we been given the key to this great mystery, but we have also been given a guarantee and a guide. God has put His Holy Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. The Holy Spirit guides, comforts, empowers, and equips us to navigate this life and accomplish God’s plan of reaching the world with the good news.

Reflection:

1. How would you feel if you traveled for hundreds of miles to a vacation destination only to find out that you didn’t bring the right key?

2. Who do you know who does not have the key to eternity with God? Consider praying that the Holy Spirit works in them to help them escape and find freedom in Jesus Christ.