The good news of Jesus, the gospel, is both easy to understand and a mystery. In one sense, it is easy to understand. God created, and everything was good. Adam and Eve rejected God and rebelled against Him in sin. We are sinners by nature and by choice. The payment for our sin is death, wrath, and hell, but God, in His goodness and grace, provided a way out. Salvation is through Christ alone. When we turn from our sin and empty, wicked ways to embrace Him as Lord, Savior, and greatest Treasure, we are born again, made new, and free from sin. We are guaranteed eternal life with Him in heaven. Amen!
And this good news is also a mystery. “He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory (1 Tim 3:16).” This is deep stuff. How does it all work? The mystery is that the Gentiles and Jews who follow Jesus are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel (Ephesians 3:6). The mystery that was hidden for ages and generations is now revealed to His saints: God has made known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:24-27). These are amazing truths, far beyond anything our small minds can understand. We cannot help but worship as Paul does in Romans 11:33, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!”
It’s not enough only to know the mystery, but how to apply it. What do you do with this mystery? Jesus Himself is the reason we do what we do. “To live is Christ” and Christ lives in you. Act in a godly manner, worthy of the gospel, because of the mystery. We put off what is ungodly and put on Christ because of the mystery. We live out all the realities of Him and act as He would because of the mystery. We are united to Him and share in His godliness; we have new hearts and live out the Christ-life in us. If you have Christ, you have the mystery and it has you. Live out this mystery through Him who saved you and lives in you today. How do your actions, speech, thoughts, and emotions reflect Jesus? How do your hands live out the beauty and power of Jesus in your head and heart? Speak out and display the mystery of Christ in you to others. Thank you, Lord.