Together in Christ: 'My Life Is Safe with Jesus!' — Colossians 3:1-4

Behind the world we see is an unseen world where spiritual powers are at work to defeat us:

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. ^[1]

The evil one and his demonic forces want to deceive us, oppose us, and trap us in a self-destructive life, alienating us from people we love and from God. ^[2] Those who have been caught in this kind of lifestyle, those who have worshiped pagan and materialistic idols, and those involved in dark arts have tasted some of the powers of the evil one. In addition, those involved with pornography, addiction, some forms of music, and the drug culture can carry residues of these dark spiritual forces. However, two words change everything: "Then Jesus..."

Then Jesus came and defeated Satan at every turn. When demons saw Jesus, they fell at His feet in fear and confessed Him as the Son of God. ^[3] Even the cross, which was supposed to be Satan's triumphant moment in killing the Son of Man, became Satan's greatest defeat. ^[4] Jesus entered into the world of the dead and triumphed over Satan and shamed him, along with his evil minions, through the cross. ^[5] Jesus completed His triumph by rising from the dead.

Now comes the incredibly great news: Once we have died with Christ in baptism — died to our old lives — and were raised to new life with Him through our faith in the power of God, ^[6] Satan and his demons can't have us. Our lives are hidden with Christ in God. The evil one may try to tempt us, bring trials into our lives, and even attack us, but he cannot have us or defeat us as long as we live by the power of the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. ^[7] The eternally living part of us, our "real life is hidden with Christ in God" and "overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us."  ^[8]

When Jesus returns in His glory for all the world to see, we will not only be with Him, but we will share in all of His glory! God provided a way for us to have an intimate, eternal, victory-producing relationship with Jesus Christ, the Lord!