The Mystery of Godliness
10/25 Reading Portions: 2 Kings 6; 1 Timothy 3; Daniel 10; Psalm 119:1-24
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
10/25 Reading Portions: 2 Kings 6; 1 Timothy 3; Daniel 10; Psalm 119:1-24
1 Timothy 3:16
Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: 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.
GREAT
Godliness in men was a mystery before Christ came but now revealed by God’s grace in Christ. In our corrupt flesh, or at least in the natural world, we might tend to look upon the qualifications of the overseer and deacon, or the pastors and ministers, as special men called to carry out the commands and ordinances to lead Christ’s church. Yet because God’s mercy abounds through Christ Jesus our Lord, the Holy Spirit reveals through the apostle how great indeed is our confession that we are only wretched sinners saved by God’s amazing and sovereign grace; and that the mystery, once hidden but now revealed, that godliness in men is not a mere reflection of Christ’s godliness, but it is through the indwelling Messiah Himself, who promised to never leave us nor forsake us (Deut 31:8; Heb 13:5). Paul, writing to the believers in Colossae, reveals that Christ Jesus in you and me is the mystery that brings salvation to the Gentiles:
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! Colossians 1:27
The Lord Jesus, as sinless and perfect Man, was the godliest Man who ever walked the face of the planet. He was God incarnate, and by His godly and righteous life, was vindicated by the Spirit. In other words, the godliness of Christ in His humanity, was so exalted during His earthly ministry, it proved that Jesus was the only Way to salvation, and that Christ’s righteousness may be applied to your account and mine for God to save us by His grace. Godliness, on the other hand, is worked out in our lives by the indwelling Messiah in accordance with our submission to the indwelling Holy Spirit, as it is written and commanded:
…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13
Again, this godliness worked out in our lives does not justify us so we can keep our salvation. It is a witness and evidence of the power of God in Christ of the effectual grace of God through Christ Jesus, seen of angels, proclaimed among the nations, and believed on in the godless, dying, unbelieving world. Hallelujah! What a Savior! When we read the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3, we should immediately think that this is what Jesus was like in His absolute perfection; then immediately think that this is the behavior that would please Him. When we respond in grateful love and godly fear to Christ’s sweet, merciful, and gracious salvation, these behaviors are what would be most pleasing to Him. Let us therefore employ and exercise them, as much as a sinner saved by grace is able, by God’s grace in Christ.