Articles
The Mystery of Godliness
When I was younger, I enjoyed reading the Hardy Boys books. The mysteries and adventures in those stories always intrigued to me. The books were always laid out the same way, beginning with the introduction of some type of problem, followed by Joe and Frank searching for suspects and gathering evidence, ending with the announcement of the solution to the problem. Great mysteries are nothing new. The apostle Paul uses the term “mystery” 17 times in his letters to churches and individuals. The purpose of this mystery is found in Romans 16:25-27, “to bring about the obedience of faith.”
From the very beginning of recorded history, we are made aware of the most terrible problem ever to come upon mankind: sin. We also see the extent of the problem and are made aware of the culprit: Satan, the father of lies. Until the revelation of God’s word, however, the great mystery of how mankind would escape sin and death was unsolvable. In 1 Timothy 3:16, Paul gives us the solution to the great mystery of godliness.
This great mystery began to unfold when “He was manifested in the flesh.” God, the eternal deity, took the form of man. The Word, which was God and was with God from the beginning, left his holy throne and dwelt among us. The only Son from the Father, Jesus the Christ, left glory to save us (John 1:1, 2, 14). How amazing it is that God's Son came to this earth that He might set us loose from the bonds of sin!
We gather more information regarding the solution to the great mystery in the next phrase: “vindicated by the Spirit.” The purpose and intent of the Messiah was to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). In order to do this, he had to make a sacrifice of His flesh. Although He was put to death as a criminal and a sinner, the action of giving up His own life to bear our guilt was the very action that justified Him (Isaiah 53:11-12). Therefore, since all of His actions here on earth manifested His deity and carried the authority and purpose of God the Father, Christ was indeed vindicated, or proven innocent and true, by His actions of obedience to the spirit of God within Him.
This supreme eternal being, who was made flesh and justified by His own holiness, was also “seen by angels, and proclaimed among the nations.” 1 Peter 1:12 explains that even angels longed to know the solution to the great mystery. Angels knew God the Son before he was made flesh. However, anticipating the complete revelation of the mystery of God, they watched Jesus the man with intense excitement. They saw Him as He walked here on earth, and even ministered to Him during times of temptation and pain (Matt. 4:11). At the same time the angels were seeing Christ, the nations were hearing Him. Jesus “has broken down the dividing wall” (Eph. 2:14-16) that once separated Gentiles from salvation. The proclamation of the Christ is such wonderful news for us!
Upon being proclaimed to all nations, Jesus was “believed on in all the world.” The Gentiles received with gladness the saving message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified (Acts 13:46-48). It truly is a testimony to the deity and greatness of Christ that the same world which seemed to lay in the ruin of sin, the world that had crucified Him, came to believe the message proclaimed about Him.
The key to this great mystery of godliness lies in the fact that Jesus the Christ was “taken up in glory.” This phrase ties together the whole thought. He was manifested in flesh, and was taken again back to His home where he reigns forevermore, awaiting the day He returns to take us home with Him. The resurrection is the crowning achievement in Christ's mission, and no more important event has ever taken place. If He did not raise Himself from the dead and conquer sin, then we have no hope (1 Thess. 1:10). However, He did conquer sin and death (1 Cor. 15:57). He endured the agonizing death on the cross. He did go back home to glory!
This great mystery is revealed; we have all the facts. However, the one mystery left to consider is this: why did He do what He did? He did this all because He loves His Father, and because He loves you and me. The secret is uncovered, the facts are laid bare. We must consider this great mystery's ability to “bring about the obedience of faith. To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ!" (Romans 16:26-27)
