What Does It Mean to Be Hidden in Christ?

April 10, 2023

By Brooke Holt

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

One of my favorite games to play as a child was hide and seek. Living in a neighborhood filled with children, we would meet at the park each day eager to let the games begin. We laid out the boundaries and set the designations for hide and seek. We designated one child to be “it” while the rest scurried off to hide. Looking for people was often the easy part; each one of us knew the neighborhood well. Hiding proved the more challenging part. Every game, we sought to find the perfect, new hiding spot.

In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he wrote about another way to hide, and it seems much simpler and more secure than our hide and seek games. Paul tells his readers their lives are hidden with Christ in God. This passage directly relates to the Collect we prayed this week: “Stir up in your Church that Spirit of adoption which is given to us in Baptism” (The Collect, Book of Common Prayer p.222). In baptism, you die to self. The washing by the water represents the cleansing of the old way and life. Once the old has been washed away, you are raised to new life, the life of Christ. His righteousness becomes your righteousness. It is the most glorious and mysterious exchange ever made. Jesus took your sin upon himself on the cross, died for that sin, and rose that you may have forgiveness, healing, reconciliation, and eternal life with the Father.

Paul goes on to tell you how to live into this righteousness – seek the things of God and think the thoughts of God. Don’t let the things of this world and its corrupt powers distract you. Instead, seek the glory of God in Christ and be captivated by him. The more you seek him, think his thoughts, and focus on his glory, the more you are transformed to resemble that glory, the more you reflect his righteousness in your life.

Hide yourself in Christ: meaning dwell on his word and truth, worship, fellowship with the body of Christ, and pray continually. In doing so, you will find yourself dwelling in his presence, and your life will manifest his glory today and forevermore.

May you be found in him today!

Reflection:

Did you know that you were called to hide in Christ? What steps can you take today to move into that perfect hiding place? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Related Resource:

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