(Transcribed from the Words of Life Radio Program)

Thank you for listening to these Words of Life radio broadcasts. We are thankful that you are interested in the Word of God and can share its truths with others. The title for the lesson is: “The Mystery”. And the study text is taken from the New Testament the book of Colossians chapter 1 verse 26 through 28. Please listen to the Word of God.

“The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations but is now disclosed to the 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. We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” This is the Word of God.

Many people like to read a good mystery book. Probably one of the most famous mystery novelist is or was Britian’s Agatha Christe, and her bestselling mystery entitled “And then there were none.” The story follows ten people who are brought together, for various reasons, to an empty mansion on an island. Each invitee is forced to face the lyrics of a nursery rhyme and bear the consequences of their troubling pasts as death would come for them, one-by-one. This novel is a perfect gift for mystery enthusiasts. Not! The Bible is much better Yes even for mysteries.

I would much rather learn about the “mysteries” in the Bible. Really, “mysteries” in the Bible?

Absolutely! Consider all these from the writer the apostle Paul in the New Testament obviously.

Colossians chapter 2 and verse 2 which says, “in order that they may know the mystery of God…” (The answer to the mystery is in Colossians chapter 2.)

For example, consider Romans chapter 11 and verse 25 which says, “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited…” (The answer is in Romans chapter 11.)

For example, consider Ephesians chapter 3 and verse 4 which states, “you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ…” (The answer is in Ephesians chapter 3.)

And listen to First Corinthians chapter 15 and verse 51 which states, “Listen, I tell you a mystery…” (You know the drill…) The answer is found in First Corinthians chapter 15.

And wouldn’t you like to know the answers to all of these mysteries? Consult your Bibles; we only have time to reveal and explain the answer to the mystery in Colossians chapter 1 verses 26 through 28 in this lesson.

The term “mystery” or “secret” is actually rather common in the apostle Paul’s letters (or epistles). He used these terms 21 times! Plus, the terms “mystery” or “secret” are also found elsewhere in the New Testament by other inspired writes. “Mystery” in the Bible, of course, is used quite differently than in the novelist Agatha Christe’s mystery novels.

In the Bible a mystery does not necessarily refer to something mysterious or difficult to understand; but instead, is something previously unknown that has now been revealed by God in his written word.

So, lets investigate our mystery in our study text. Colossians chapter 1 and verse 26 “The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.”

First, we should understand that there are some things that God reveals to no one. Really?

Deuteronomy chapter 29 verse 29 “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all words of this law.”

Of course, these words were directed to Israel, but in theory God’s secrets can be applicable to the Lord’s church. So, what could be included in “the secret things” that belong only to the Lord our God? It would include that which God’s people don’t need to know, plus including that which we couldn’t understand anyway. Such as God’s triune (Father, Son and Spirit, Godhead) which is effectively a secret, mysterious, workings behind the scenes that are not even discernable to us. That is the mystery of divine providence. Which means the concept that God intervenes, interacts, with mankind, and in His universe, which He guides, and directs imperceptibly. Obviously, we who are finite can never discern our infinite Creator God.

Therefore consider: Second Peter chapter 1 and verse 3 “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

Paul’s use of the word “mystery” is not to indicate a secret teaching, a secret ritual, or ceremony revealed only to some elite initiates, such as in ancient so-called “mystery religions”, like the cult of Pythagoras.

Instead, Paul’s ‘mysteries’ were to reveal God’s truth to all believers in the New Testament. Believers in the New Testament. These mysteries were kept hidden, by God, toward Old Testament people but have now been revealed to the Lord’s church.

The words in verse 26 “now disclosed (that is revealed) to the Lord’s people” means that this previous mystery truth of God was not discovered by man’s wisdom, but disclosed, or revealed only by the will and act of God to His people.

So, what is this particular mystery revealed by God through the apostle Paul?

Colossians chapter 1 and verse 27 “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.”

Of all the mysteries God has revealed in the New Testament (of which there are eleven total, eight revealed by Paul, two revealed by the apostle John, and one revealed by Christ Himself), the most profound, the greatest is if you will: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” How is this so?

The Old Testament predicted the coming of the Messiah. However, the radical idea that Messiah (or Christ) would actually live (spiritually) in His true church, His true believers moreover made up of mostly Gentiles eventually was not only not revealed but also totally contrary to the mindset of all Jews. Whether in the New Testament of the Old Testament, that was simply radical!

Well, how is it that Christ is in all born-again, baptized Christians? We know about the Holy Spirit but Christ in you. Romans chapter 8 verses 9 and 10  “if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.” (That is Christ’s righteousness credited, reckoned unto the Christian through saving faith.)

Therefore, believers both Jew and Gentile can now possess the surpassing spiritual riches of the indwelling Christ and through the Holy Spirit.

By the apostle Paul’s personal experience having become a Christian. Galatians chapter 2 and verse 20 “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” “Crucified with Christ means when a person puts his or her faith in Christ for salvation, he spiritually participates with his or her Lord in His crucifixion and the Lord’s victory over sin. That is over the power and penalty of sin which are defeated, in Christ Jesus.

“I no longer live” means the old spiritual self is dead to the power, the bondage, and penalty (that is hell) of sin.

“But Christ lives in me” refers to the great inner exchange of having the new inner self empowered by the indwelling Christ to not be in bondage to sin, not to headed to the penalty of sin, which is eternal destruction.

That Christ indwells all true Christians through the Holy Spirit is the source for their (and our) “hope of glory,” that is of glorification one grand fabulous day at the return of Christ in the air for His saints. There’s more good news.

Colossians chapter 1 and verse 28 “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.”

The ultimate goal of ongoing ministry is to “present everyone fully mature (that is complete) in Christ.” How so? “That is fully mature” in the character and teaching of Christ, as much as it is possible in this life. So, as Peter wrote regarding our part in Second Peter chapter 3 and verse 18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Christians move toward spiritual maturity in Christ by growing our prayer life, by growing in the Word of God, the Scriptures, by growing in our worship, by growing in our work, for our Lord and for His kingdom’s sake, by growing in our witness for our Lord and for His kingdom.

God offers spiritual maturity to every born-again, baptized believer, empowered by Christ through the Holy Spirit who is willing to commit to such a goal as “to be mature, in Christ.” Is this true of us? Are we seeking maturity, more completeness in Christ Jesus in all of His character and His teachings or not.

Yes, Christlikeness is rather difficult to attain consistently. Consider Ruth Graham (Billy Graham’s wife) she told the story of meeting a young man from India, the nation of India. She witnessed Christ to him. He replied devastatingly, “I would like to believe in Christ, but I have never met a Christian who is like Christ in the Bible.” That’s sad, he probably didn’t meet that many Christians, at least not true missionary Christians in India.

We Christians are all merely pilgrims still in progress; some striving, some struggling, more barely trying to be more Christlike. Basically, what it means to be Christlike has to do with attitude and follow-through, in God’s will, striving to do better in godliness each and every new day. Striving to be more Christ like in character and striving to be more Christ like in teaching.

So, what are we to say when the criticism is made which you’ve heard before “You Christians ruin it for me to be a Christian?” Answer: I’m not offering you Christians. I’m offering you Jesus Christ! The “Holy One,” “the sinless one.” The one who never sinned to be your Savior and Lord.

It is not a mystery that Jesus Christ is the “Holy One,” it is not a mystery that Jesus Christ is the Lord, who deeply desires to be your Savior, and Lord, and Master. He proved it by dying on the cross for you and for me and so I must ask. Are you in Christ? And for believers. Are we striving to be more Christlike, in His character and all of His teachings? We should be striving and working toward the Lord.

 

David Johnson is minister at the Sellersburg Church of Christ in Sellersburg, IN.