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“For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:3-4

There are a lot of reasons people hide. As little kids, we may have hidden under our blankets, believing that the thin layer of cotton would protect us from any midnight monsters that may emerge from the closet. Or, in a neighborhood game of hide and seek, victory came to the one who found the best hiding place. Throughout life, we may hide to keep from being caught—literally or figuratively (which can have many contexts, positive and negative). Many of us hide from others who we really are in order to protect ourselves from pain and hurt.

Good or bad, these earthly means of hiding are only temporary—and all are ineffective. We’ll eventually be found (or found out). But praise God, there is one way we can be permanently hidden—covered, secure, and protected in this world and reaping eternal victory in the next.

See, when Jesus died on Calvary’s cross and rose from the dead, He defeated Satan and death. He paid the price for our sin, so we could exchange our filthy rags for a robe of righteousness. Accepting this gift of grace is what’s called salvation—a term many unbelievers don’t understand, or it simply sounds like foolish “religious mumbo-jumbo.”

But in Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he uses a phrase that can bring clear understanding of what salvation means for believers. “Your life is hidden in Christ.” It’s as if we are covered—hidden—by Jesus Himself. Like a daddy wrapping his arms around a small child, practically absorbing that little one into his embrace, we are hidden in the embrace of our Lord. When our heavenly Father looks at us, He doesn’t see our sin, failures, and faults. Because we’re hidden in Christ, God only sees the perfect righteous holiness of His Son.

And what’s equally amazing to realize is this: Being hidden in Christ also means we’re protected from all our spiritual enemies—once saved, no one and nothing can snatch us out of His hands (John 10:28). Nothing can separate us from the love and acceptance of God—no accusation from the enemy will stick, no trouble or persecution can condemn us (Romans 8:31-36). In fact, when we are hidden in Christ, it’s like having a proverbial spiritual superhero alter-ego: we are more than conquerors over man and demon that comes against us—and they will (Romans 8:37-39).

On our own, we cannot conquer sin, impending judgement, and the chasm that separates us from God. But Jesus can—He did. And it is only through salvation—being hidden with Christ—that we can.

“Jesus, thank You for covering my sin with Your righteousness, for hiding me, protecting me, securing my eternal future with You.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life