What does it mean to be ‘hidden in Christ’? Paul states, “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”1 To be hidden in Christ means our previous ‘old life’ is no longer viewed, but is now seen by the Father through the lens of Christ’s cleansing blood.
“When we followed Christ in baptism, we showed that our previous way of life was put to death, buried out of sight – hidden with Christ in God. At the moment we were saved, sin lost its dominion over us. We are no longer obligated to submit to the control of our old sin nature. Now, we are both dead and live all at once – dead to sin and alive to Chirst.”2
Hidden with Christ
Paul explains our hiddenness in Christ eloquently, “We were buried therefore with Him through baptism into death that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.”
“For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, we will also be part of His resurrection; knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage to sin.”
“For He who has died has been freed from sin. But if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him! For the death that He died, He died to sin one time; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”3
In Christ Jesus
Once we have ‘identified’ with Christ, the Father ‘identifies’ us ‘IN CHRIST’ and sees us through Christ’s image and likeness which is where the name Christian or Christ-like originates.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].”4
Recommendations
How to be Quick to Hear and Slow to Speak – Strength with Dignity
How to Find God – Strength with Dignity
How to Stand Amazed in God’s Presence – Strength with Dignity
References
1 Colossians 3:3 NASB
2 What Does It mean that We are Hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)? Published by Got Questions. Retrieved June 9, 2023, from What does it mean that we are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)? | GotQuestions.org
3 Romans 6:4-11 WEB
4 2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP
Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631.
New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB 1995), copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
Bible Gateway Blogger Grid Member #bgbg2 #BibleGateway
Every Friday, I join an online Christian writing community, Five Minute Friday. We are given a one-word prompt and write – unscripted, unedited, pure free-write – for 5 minutes. The prompt this week is hidden.
12 thoughts on “Hidden with Christ”
Lisa, rejoicing today in this, “To be hidden in Christ means our previous ‘old life’ is no longer viewed, but is now seen by the Father through the lens of Christ’s cleansing blood.” oh what a precious gift!
Being hidden with Christ and under His Blood is a huge gift, Donna!
I would leave Old Life behind,
that would be just oh so cool,
but in my heart and in my mind
I know Old Life has forged the tool
that God can now use for His plans,
tempered by the fires of hell,
and though I wish that nothing stands
from past days, I know full well
that all the shame and sin and guilt
are by Christ transformed, redeemed,
and from this thing the Lord has built
something that could not have seemed
possible, back in that place,
an instrument of holy grace.
Amen, Andrew! It is by Christ transformation that we are redeemed, holy instruments of His grace!
You know, sometimes i have a hard time wrapping my head around the notion that God sees me “in Christ”, like he sees me through the veil that is Christ… and I know he truly sees me, but … yet… he sees the better me I suppose? I don’t know…. It’s just sometimes a struggle to know he sees me but yet at the same time sees Christ who is tons better than I will ever be.
I’m so glad He does see us through Christ, Annette! In Christ, is a mystery, Annette, similar to us being one in marriage, yet individuals; we are one in Christ, yet each individuals living here upon the earth. And God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are One God, yet they function separately. Such mysteries are amazing, simple, yet complex! I’m so thankful, we are in Him!
I thank you for writing and sharing. Hidden in Christ is the best place to consider. Pondering this truth with you today.
Visiting from #18 FMF
Being in Christ is an amazing Truth, Lisa, and I appreciate you visiting today! Have an awesome week!
To be “hidden in Christ” brings such peace. “Once we have ‘identified’ with Christ, the Father ‘identifies’ us ‘IN CHRIST’ and sees us through Christ’s image.” I am most grateful He sees me through Christ.
I am so thankful He sees us through Christ, Joanne! Being hidden in Christ makes a huge difference in our walk with Him!
What a gift to be hidden in Him! Love this.
Blessings,
Tammy
It truly is a gift to be hidden in Him, Tammy!