Colossians 1:24-29

24 I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. 25 God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you. 26 This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. 27 For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

28 So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. 29 That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.

New Living Translation

There was a problem in the early church in the city of Colosse. There was a false doctrine similar to gnosticism that was being taught. In a nutshell, this is a believe that there is a secret knowledge required to be saved. Only a few "special" enlightened people will be able to find this knowledge.

Paul wrote this letter to the Colossians in large part to set the people straight. In doing so, he uses some of the same language the Gnostic's were using.

In verse 26, he says that the message of salvation was kept secret for centuries. But now it has been revealed to His own holy people. What Paul is saying is not that this was a secret message that can only be figured out by an elite few. Instead it was hidden until Christ came. After He came, the message is being boldly told, in its entirety, to anyone willing to listen and accept it.

And just what is this message, that Paul is suffering so much for in order to make sure it is known? It is that Christ lives in all who will believe that Jesus is indeed God, and that He died for our sins in order to save us. This is what Paul said earlier in this chapter. The truth is, if you believe, it does not matter who you are, you are saved and you have the Holy Spirit given to you.

You don't have to be smart, or gifted. You don't have to be a preacher, or a prophet. You don't have to be a certain race, or sex. You don't have to look any special way, or have a specific lifestyle, other than submission to the lordship of Jesus.

There is no secret password, no magical initiation, nothing that has to be done in order to earn the salvation offered by Christ. Simply believe. Then live like it, through the power of His Spirit within you.