The Mystery Of The Gospel

by SHAW, R. I. | Category: Opened Secrets | Apr 2005

Let's begin with a wonder and then focus on the mystery.

Paul's reflection on God's grace in his life brought the humble exclamation that 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief' (1 Timothy 1:15). Equally, it was a wonder to him of immense proportion that, 'less than the least of all the saints', as he confessed himself to be, God should extend to him such grace to 'preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ' (Eph.3:8). What a privilege! What a message!

What a mystery! The mystery of the truth of the gospel lay in the heart of God and would forever have remained secret had not God chosen to reveal it. Here is divine truth. It cannot be discovered by human investigation, but only by divine revelation, namely, that in Christ there is full salvation equally for everyone who receives Him by faith.

'But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory' (1 Cor.2:7,8).

The wonder of Paul's God-appointed service caused him to speak of it in the context of the power of prayer. 'Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit � and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel' (Eph.6:18,19).

'... praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ' (Col.4:3).

Aware of the great responsibility on his shoulder and of his own weakness, Paul craved divine strength that his gospel preaching might be effective. His need was for a Spirit-filled message and the courage to speak it. It is no different today. The word of the gospel directed to the hearts of men is especially powerful when accompanied by the prayerful words of men in the power of the Holy Spirit.

What, then, has been revealed? The mystery of the gospel is the mystery of Christ. It was revealed by Him and He is its glorious subject. In fact many of the mysteries of God refer to Christ and God's purposes through Him. The gospel is good news from God. It is the 'glorious gospel of the blessed (happy) God' (1 Tim.1:11). It is a message the glory of which shines in our hearts to bring the knowledge of God's glory shining in the face of Jesus Christ (See 2 Cor.4:6). It takes man from his depravity through sin and gives him new life in Christ.

Paul, writing to the Church in Corinth, said, 'I declare to you the gospel � that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures' (1 Cor.15:1-4). Its doctrine spans the Epistles.

Who but the eternal God could have conceived such a message, 'the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes' (Rom.1:16). Think of it. Nothing to do; nothing to pay; the ungodly Jew and Gentile alike justified by simple faith in a finished work through a crucified and risen Saviour. And there's more! 'He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?' (Rom.8:32).

To the bystander whose faith is in the wisdom of men it is all so unbelievable and unacceptable. In fact, is it not in the proud nature of mankind to seek by self-effort to bring about acceptance with God? Here many of the religions of the world converge, denying the completeness and finality of Christ's atoning sacrifice. However Romans 5 categorises the ungodly for whom Christ died as 'without strength' (v.6); 'sinners' (v.8) 'and enemies' (v.10). Self-effort is impossible. By divine mercy, and at the time of greatest need, we were loved as sinners and reconciled, though enemies of God - justified by His blood because Christ died for us. Here is an immense truth. Remission of sin could only be by the shedding of blood (Heb.9:22) and Christ shed His blood on Calvary as a substitutionary sacrifice. Here is the means by which divine anger is turned away in our case. Divine righteousness has been satisfied in the death of Christ and man is reconciled to God.

There as my Surety He firmly stood,

Paid for my ransom His precious blood;

Died for my sin, to bring me to God -

Jesus died for me.(Anon.)

A man once placed a humble iron fountain along a busy road and hung a cup beside it on a little chain. Along came a great art critic and laughed at the design. "But," said the man, "do many thirsty people drink at it?" "Thousands," was the reply and the man smiled. Our faith is in the power of God who gives new life in Christ through the gospel.

New life in Christ! Born again; born from above; born of God. We are children of God, partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet.1:4). We share in the life of One in whom all life originates. 'Christ lives in me' (Gal.2:20). Only such can see the kingdom of God and learn from the Spirit of God through the Word of God to fulfil its requirements and enjoy its blessings.

As the revelation of the 'mystery' is from God, so new life in Christ cannot be derived by human persuasion, but by divine conviction. It is life in the heart through the Holy Spirit. No mere mental assent or a desire to 'get decisions' can produce it. 'Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth' (James 1:18).

The gospel impacts on the life of the believer. It has been well said that in John's gospel 'he sets forth the divine life as it is shown in the Person of Christ and in his first epistle he sets forth that life as exhibited in the believer. In the one we have the perfect life realised in Christ and in the other we have directions for reproducing that life in the imperfect Christian' (Dr. Plummer). The one who is born of God must abide in Him and the measure of our abiding will be the measure of our avoidance of sin (1 John 3:6). We are thus called upon to live by faith, faith in the new life - its fact, its powers, its possibilities; dead to sin and alive to God.

SHAW, R. I. | Apr 2005
Opened Secrets