And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16
To us the mystery of godliness has been revealed (Mark 4:11, Rom. 16:25, 26). What is this mystery? It is connected to the gospel, the message of Jesus Christ.
Jesus committed no sin (1 Pet. 2:22), not once, from cradle to grave. He never even THOUGHT of committing sin. Because He was godly. He loved us so much that He became a man and died for man. He humbled Himself to the point of death on the cross. He became cursed for us.
If that was the only message of the Bible, it would be enough. We are loved so much more than we can imagine. But the Bible foes further than that.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48
Perfect love? It seems impossible! Love your enemies…. Jesus embodied this on the cross. While they were torturing Him, He was loving and praying for them. Is it even possible for us to humanly do the same?
We know from Scripture the description of God’s end-time people, before Jesus returns:
And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God. Revelation 14:5
God commanded it. He wanted us to be like Him. How is it possible? What is this mystery of godliness?
…The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:26, 27
The mystery = Christ in you the hope of glory!!! God says, I want to live right inside of you. If God was living inside of you, could you be sympathetic, compassionate, loving? The gospel is God’s method for living inside us. What is the gospel message? Confess sin. Receive repentance from God (which is a gift we must pray for). Then God counts us as perfectly clean and holy, as if we’d never sinned before. We claim the merits of Christ. Don’t say, “God forgive me, because I’ve done some good things too.” Say, “I haven’t done a bit of good, but grant me forgiveness because Jesus has already paid the price.” And don’t miss last part–the best part: Jesus, will come and live inside your heart and be an ever present help in trouble. He will help you live the same holy, sinless life that He lived!
Our biggest problem is ourselves, so God wants to come right to the heart of the problem!
Sarah E. Brown 