The Mystery of Christ

Over at Mike Ratliff’s blog, Possessing the treasure, I found this wonderful sharing of the Mystery that is of Christ.

The Mystery of Christ, March 2, 2009 — Mike Ratliff

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. (Colossians 1:24-29 ESV)

When Christianity broke out of Palestine in the 1st Century it became not just a faith of believing Jews, but also the faith of the gentiles. It was no longer a “religion” only for the chosen people of God, the Hebrews, but it was proclaimed throughout the known world of that time. It crossed into other languages and cultures, but the message never changed. The Apostles preached to Jews, Greeks, Romans, and slaves of every language and culture. No matter what the background of those hearing the Gospel, the mystery of Christ, became manifest in the hearts of all who believed as they were reborn in Him.

So, what is the mystery of Christ? According to Colossians 1:27 the mystery is Christ in those who believe, the hope of glory. What did Paul mean by using the Greek word ‘moos-tay’-ree-on’ here to describe this? During Paul’s day the contemporary pagan religions, the “mysteries” were secret insights given to a select, initiated few. These few usually had to pay for the privilege. Paul’s usage of this Greek Word to his readers is describes the revelation of God in His people. It is a ‘moos-tay’-ree-on’ because it refers to what once was once hidden, but is now being revealed. God reveals the Son to the heart. He is the one who opens the heart, regenerates it, gives the gift of faith to His people and then as they are reborn, believe, and repent, Christ becomes the hope of glory in them.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (Ephesians 1:7-10 ESV)

Who knows the mystery of Christ? It is lavishly made known with insight in the hearts of those whom God saves. This is the mystery of God’s will according to His purpose. He set forth this plan, the mystery of Christ, to be completed in the fullness of time. God’s will for creation is fulfilled in Christ. His completed work on the cross redeemed His people from their sins, purchasing them out of death unto life.

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles– assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. (Ephesians 3:1-12 ESV)

Here we see that this mystery also includes Gentiles as part of God’s plan of redemption. They are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. The Church is also part of this mystery. All Christians are part of this Church. It is through the Church that the manifold wisdom of God has been made known to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places. Our enemies know who we are. They know that the church contains all of the redeemed. Therefore, they attack it as they can, but only by the authority of God who allows this to strengthen His people that they may have boldness, and access to the throne of grace through their faith in Christ.

The mystery of Christ is not something hidden from those whom God saves. No, it is made very clear and there is no reason to modify the Gospel in order to contextualize it for a certain people. Oh, the gospel must be translated in all languages, but the message never changes. The mystery of Christ is made known to the heart by God as those whom He is saving hear the truth of their sin and how they are separate from God because of His law. Then the gospel is given to them fully which is the substitutionary sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ to become sin on their behalf, taking the blame that was meant for them. They are then called to believe and it is thorugh God working in the heart to regenerate them, giving them the gift of faith that they believe and repent. This is the mystery of the gospel and the Church in that no matter what nationality or race a person is, if God saves them, they are part of the Church.

Therefore, my brethren, when you read or hear of the mystery of Christ do not be mystified or drawn into those false teachings that Christians cannot know this mystery. As we saw in these passages, God makes this mystery very clear to all who will believe. Perhaps those who insist that this mystery is not knowable are outside of this circle.

Soli Deo Gloria!

http://mikeratliff.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/the-mystery-of-christ/