The Mystery of Christ

(2 minute read; 357 words)

The apostle Paul, at the end of Colossians chapter 1, speaks of a mystery that God chose to reveal—not after a few days or even centuries, but after thousands of years. It is His perfect plan, unveiled in the perfect place and at the perfect time—a hidden truth now made known. And the beauty of this revealed mystery lies in its eternal value for all who behold it.

“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and I fill up what is lacking of Christ’s afflictions in my flesh, on behalf of His body, which is the church, of which I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God given to me for you, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints…” (Colossians 1:24-26)

Why, then, is the mystery of Christ so difficult to grasp?

Because God, the divine Author, reveals His Son only to those whom He calls. We must never imagine that we discovered the truth of Christ by our own intellect or insight. Our spiritual eyes remain blind until God Himself opens them, enabling us to see and believe in the Savior. That’s why we must stay in His Word daily.

He seeks and saves only those who know they are lost.

“Through Christ, God is uniting all things by forming one redeemed people—Jew and Gentile (any non-Jew), together—who share the same promises, the same Spirit, the same salvation, and the same access to God.” — promises by faith — This is spiritual Israel– the Israel of God (Galatians 3:15-16)

The mystery revealed includes: Direct access to God only through Christ, God’s eternal plan centered in Christ, the inclusion of Gentiles as equal heirs, one new united body– the Church, Christ living in believers, and the Church as the Bride of Christ.*

*The church is called the bride of Christ to show that Jesus has entered into a loving, sacrificial, permanent relationship with His people, is preparing them to be holy, and will one day be united with them forever.

“God’s plan is to make known his secret to his people, this rich and glorious secret which he has for all peoples. And the secret is that Christ is in you, which means that you will share in the glory of God.” (Colossians 1:27)

So, we are to preach Christ to everyone!

Appreciation of the Mystery — Ephesians 3:14–21

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Appreciation of the Mystery (Summary)

In response to God’s amazing plan of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles, Paul prays humbly to the Father on behalf of believers. He asks God to strengthen them inwardly through the Holy Spirit so that Christ will continually dwell and rule in their hearts through faith.

Paul’s desire is that believers be firmly rooted and established in God’s love and that they grow in understanding the immeasurable greatness of Christ’s love—a love so vast that it cannot be fully comprehended by human knowledge alone. As they experience this love, they are increasingly transformed and filled with the fullness of God’s presence and character.

Paul concludes with a powerful doxology, praising God for His unlimited power. God is able to accomplish far more than anything we could ever ask, imagine, or dream, working through His power within His people. Therefore, all glory belongs to God in the church and in Christ Jesus forever.