Of all the many things that draw our attention, wonderment, and awe, the pinnacle for the Christian ought to be their own union with Christ. The “why” of God’s mercy, is by design unanswerable, such that meditation of this question ought to humble us – since we are recipients of God’s grace, we will be guided in being generous in extending grace to others as well.
Observations:
The emphasis upon “mystery” in the NT is always directed towards redemption
7 Themes of Mystery
- Parable
- Allegory
- Incarnation
- Unity in the church
- Unity in marriage
- Unity with Christ
- Resurrection
Conclusions:
- The Mysteries of God are unreachable
– designed to humble us - The Mysteries of God are good
– designed to give honor to God - The Mysteries of God are purposeful
– designed to draw us towards awe - The Mysteries of God are sourced in love
– designed to invite us into a relationship with Him
Application:
- Make space in your life to engage in the wonderment of God’s love and your redemption through Christ.
- Answer: “How can I orient my whole life after the wonderment of God’s love?”
1 Corinthians 1:22-24; 2:6-7
“Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.”
Ephesians 3:4-6
“In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 11:25
“I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.”
Ephesians 5:31-32
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.”
Colossians 1:25-27
“I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
1 Corinthians 15:50-52
“I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”
Micah 7:18-19
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”