The ground we have of comfort under rebuke and disgrace . . . is a spirit of glory. What is that? A large spirit enlarging our hearts with inward comfort, inward joy, inward love of God. . . .

In Colossians 3:3, the Apostle Paul wrote these words: “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God,” (ESV).  In Psalm 25:14, King David penned this sweet phrase: “The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant,” (NASB).  The aforementioned Paul also left this instruction to the Philippian church, in Php. 3:15-16: “Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained,” (ESV).

 What I desire to say in this paper, is that all of us have a “hidden” “inner” life.  Those who love God by sheer and sovereign grace, have this “hidden” life, “With Christ in God.”  This means that the church’s regenerated saints have an inner “refuge,” a “safe spot,” (even) a “happy place”; where our “real selves” thrive–and this haven is, “With Christ in God.”  We may resort to this blessed retreat at anytime, in prayer, praise, worship, adoration, and thanksgiving.  This “place” is a veritable “heaven” on Earth–because Jesus is there; and anywhere He is, is heaven (for us).

 Richard Sibbes (AD 1577-1635), was a great Puritan pastor and author.  In addressing the “rebukes” of the world against God’s true and redeemed people in Christ, Pastor Sibbes said these amazing words, in a sermon he preached from Isaiah 25:8: “A Christian knows his worth, that he is a child of God, heir of heaven, that he is attended upon by angels, that he is a jewel to God in His esteem; he [the believer] thinks this to be absolutely the best thing in the world.”

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