“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.  Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” (Colossians 1:27-28)

The hope of the Gospel might be summarized in these three statements:

  • Jesus lived to provide the righteousness you lack.

  • Jesus died to pay the penalty you incurred.

  • Jesus lives again to produce in and through you the life required of you.

The first two describe the truth of your being “in Christ.” The last sets forth the hope of “Christ in you.”

“To be in Christ—that is redemption; but for Christ to be in you—that is sanctification! To be in Christ—that makes you fit for heaven; but for Christ to be in you—that makes you fit for earth! To be in Christ—that changes your destination; but for Christ to be in you—that changes your destiny! The one makes heaven your home—the other makes this world His workshop.”  (Major W. Ian Thomas, The Saving Life of Christ, p.20)

Here is a more visually helpful picture in a pdf file: hope of the gospel