A Mystery
by John McGregor
. . . .the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles . . . Colossians l:27
It is amazing how many people are almost irresistibly attracted to murder mysteries and horror movies. A vast industry in the publication world and among movie makers has gained an immense audience throughout the world. Why are people so drawn to violence and crime? Like an incurable disease, people flock to see a fight. Does this not only testify to the depth of depravity of the fallen human race? Some observers and scientists adamantly maintain that this is the cause of our increasing insensitivity to pain, suffering and death so evident in senseless killing and many crimes of all kinds. Yet the human race seemingly has a relentless thirst for violence and conflict. Surely God in his creative work did not declare this as "good".
There is a mystery which is most profound. It is designed for the human race. And it is genuinely positive in human experience. Those who find it are amazed by its transforming power. It is the mystery of the gospel – "Christ in you the hope of glory" Col. 1:27. This mystery expresses the reality of the redemption mankind can receive and experience through believing in Jesus Christ. The depth of this mystery is not always found immediately, even by all believers because in its profundity it seems an inexplicable paradox.
Only by faith do we ultimately understand and accept the truth that as fallen creatures we can win by loosing. That indeed seems backward. How is the potential of entering this mystery realized?. And what must we loose in order to win? Little wonder that the natural mind does not readily grasp the great truth in this mystery. 1 Cor. 2:14 and Is. 55:8-9. God in sacrificing His only begotten Son made possible the realization of this great mystery. It is the exchange of the fallen aspects of our nature to be conquered and overcome by the indwelling presence of the Spirit (the Holy Spirit) of Christ. Rom. 8:13. That transaction means that we have a divine dimension to our existence. 2 Peter 1:4.
In natural terms a surrender is a defeat. But this surrender is a victory. We surrender our "self-life" in order to gain the "Spirit-filled life". In human terms absolute surrender seems a great loss but in divine terms it is actually a great gain. Christ by His Spirit is crowned the Lord of life. But we must agree and give consent to embrace Christ's cross was my cross. Then I can continuously surrender my "self-life" to it. What a glorious mystery this is. God's presence and power takes charge of my life. Human weakness, frailty, sinfulness is replaced by divine life. Furthermore this new life is eternal while our human life is very temporal. Little wonder that apostle Paul writes in Galatians 6:14, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." This is the gateway to the abundant life.
Have you thanked God today that by His grace you have believed this truth for your life? Why not do it now?
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