The concept of spiritual life being "hidden with Christ" is primarily derived from the Apostle Paul's epistle to the Colossians. In Colossians 3:3, Paul writes, "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God" . This passage encapsulates a profound theological truth about the believer's union with Christ and the transformative nature of salvation.

Union with Christ

The phrase "hidden with Christ" signifies the intimate and secure relationship between the believer and Jesus Christ. This union is a central tenet of Christian theology, emphasizing that through faith, believers are spiritually united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. As Paul elaborates in Romans 6:4, "We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life" . This newness of life is the spiritual life that is hidden with Christ.

Security and Assurance

The notion of being "hidden" conveys a sense of security and protection. In the ancient world, something hidden was often considered safe from harm or theft. Similarly, the believer's life, being hidden with Christ, is secure in the hands of God. This assurance is echoed in John 10:28-29, where Jesus declares, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand" .

Transformation and Sanctification

The hidden life with Christ also implies a transformation that is not immediately visible to the world. This transformation is part of the sanctification process, where believers are gradually conformed to the image of Christ. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:18, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" . The hidden life is thus a life of ongoing spiritual growth and maturity.

Heavenly Focus

Colossians 3:1-2 further instructs believers to "set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" . The hidden life with Christ calls for a reorientation of priorities, focusing on eternal realities rather than temporal concerns. This heavenly focus is a hallmark of the spiritual life that is hidden with Christ, as believers live in anticipation of their future glorification with Him.

Mystery and Revelation

The hidden nature of the spiritual life also reflects the mystery of the Gospel, which was once concealed but is now revealed in Christ. Paul speaks of this mystery in Colossians 1:26-27, "the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" . The hidden life with Christ is thus both a present reality and a future hope, rooted in the mystery of God's redemptive plan.

Practical Implications

Living a life hidden with Christ has practical implications for daily Christian living. It calls believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling, exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit and pursuing holiness. As Paul exhorts in Ephesians 4:1, "I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received" . The hidden life is characterized by a deep, abiding relationship with Christ, manifesting in love, obedience, and service.

In summary, the spiritual life hidden with Christ is a multifaceted concept encompassing union with Christ, security, transformation, heavenly focus, mystery, and practical Christian living. It is a life marked by the assurance of salvation, the ongoing work of sanctification, and the hope of future glorification with Christ.Colossians 3:3
For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Life in Christ
... are hidden. Christ at all times lives. When you are lowest, when you cannot pray,
when you can hardly groan, when you do not seem to have spiritual life enough ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/life in christ.htm

Of the Signs of Good Rapture, and of the Third Species of the Same ...
... of our soul: therefore our life is hidden in God with Jesus Christ; and when Jesus
Christ, who is our love, and consequently our spiritual life, shall appear ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter vi of the signs.htm

Work, for God Works in You
... of this Divine and most holy life, hidden in Christ ... because God has created us in
Christ Jesus for ... but everywhere present, there can be no spiritual life but as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/x work for god works.htm

That He who Has Attained to Trust, Having Put Off the Former Man ...
... put off the former man, ought to regard only celestial and spiritual things, and
to ... are on the earth; for ye are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/11 that he who has.htm

Imitation of Christ
... CHAPTER XI Of seeking peace of mind and of spiritual progress. ... CHAPTER I Of the inward
life. ... CHAPTER XIV Of meditation upon the hidden judgments of God, that we ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/

The Holy Supper of Our Lord Jesus Christ...
... in our souls, for the support of our spiritual life. ... operations of the Holy Spirit
are hidden and incomprehensible ... natural body and the proper blood of Christ. ...
/.../various/the belgic confession /article xxxv the holy supper.htm

How Love is the Life of the Soul, and Continuation of the ...
... As soon therefore as we have set our affection upon Jesus Christ, we have consequently
placed in him our spiritual life. But he is now hidden in God in heaven ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter vii how love is.htm

Schleiermacher -- Christ's Resurrection an Image of Our New Life
... In the case of Christ we do not apprehend it as a ... often and for a long time be quite
hidden from us ... to Him who is the only fountain of this spiritual life! ...
/.../the worlds great sermons volume 3/schleiermacher christs resurrection an.htm

Life and Work
... is specially true of the spiritual life"the life of ... accomplish its purpose without
work; life is perfected ... The highest manifestation of its hidden nature and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/vi life and work.htm

The Seventh Chapter: Grace must be Hidden under the Mantle of ...
... INTERNAL CONSOLATION The Seventh Chapter: Grace Must Be Hidden Under the ... The Voice
of Christ ... Your progress in spiritual life does not consist in having the ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the seventh chapter grace must.htm

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