The Mystery of Godliness
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Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
1 Timothy 3:16
Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
Romans 1:1-4
1. Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God 2. which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 3. the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4. and designated Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
I began this morning in 1 Timothy. It’s so funny to me that some mornings I feel pulled by The New Testament and on others by the Old Testament. I guess on those NT mornings, I’m needing more of the “mystery of our religion” to jump start my day! Anyway, my notes indicate that the words of this verse from Timothy were printed in a poetic form and probably came from and early creedal hymn.
I don’t know about you, but it’s often easier for me to remember the words to a song than words just printed or read aloud. So the Ephesians were probably familiar with this as a hymn or song that was sung regularly during worship and to instruct new believers. Timothy 3:16 is a pretty concise summation of our faith, isn’t it? Of course, it’s not that cut and dried, but if you only had a few seconds to describe who and what Jesus was, and relate His life to someone, this would do it.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” That is the bottom line for us as Christians. The divine revelation of Christ through the Holy Spirit should become a part of our very being. We should wear our faith like a garment, own it like a prized possession, preach it at every opportunity. Our thankfulness should be so apparent that others want to know the source.
Angels tended to Him, ministered to Him, guarded His soul, and escorted Him back to His home in heaven with God. He was that precious to God. He is that priceless to us. 2000 years later, he is still preached among the nations. Not only is history changed because of Him, but the future as well. We cannot thank God enough for the gift of His son. We cannot comprehend fully the gift of the Holy Spirit while we are in our earthly bodies.
I long for my future in heaven when all the mysteries will be revealed and all truths will be uncovered. I look to those who have gone before me and rejoice that we will be reunited at the end of time—for all time.
I hope you live today with such thankfulness that others ask you the reason and the source of your gratitude.
Mary
