THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS
1 Timothy 3:14 ¶ These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
The Apostle Paul was hoping to come soon to visit his spiritual son, Pastor Timothy. But the urgency of the responsibility concerning the believer’s faithfulness in the spiritual matters of this Great Mystery urged him not to delay this instruction. And we in these later centuries are of great benefit that he didn’t. For we also can read this copy of his letter and be carefully instructed to also be on our guard concerning these responsibilities. How wonderful to have the Holy Spirit preserve the scriptures for us in our day.
But just what was this most important matter? Well, it WAS NOT how one should conduct himself when entering into a church building for routinely scheduled services! For the term, “the house of God” here is not referring to organized religion, but to the organism of the spiritual body of God throughout the world. Therefore it is the concern as to how every true believer must conduct himself in his everyday walk in life regarding his being entrusted with these glorious spiritual matters.
Consider these verses defining the organism of the church: Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. It is a growing, spiritual habitation for God to indwell.
In other words, he was reminding Timothy that the true believers have to faithfully keep in mind that they are to maintain, as the pillar and ground of the truth, these great spiritual Mysteries of Godliness! For it should be part of their daily consciousness as they walk before God that these matters are entrusted to them.
For a true God-consciousness is that which separates the true sheep from the goats. For the sheep have a true awareness of the Being of their Father in heaven, and not just rational performance of the traditions of religion. Listen to what God told Abram in the beginning of the issuance of faith upon earth. Romans 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. God was instructing Abram to conduct his daily life in the awareness of being under the watchful care of God. And so should all who claim Christ as their Saviour! Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
And it was that effectual God-conscious faith which kept the holy Joseph from sin in a foreign land, far away from anyone that knew him. For his awareness and respect for God alone prevailed to keep him from sin. Genesis 39:7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8 But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
And we must understand that our concept of “church,” as just being a building where religionists come to meet on certain days is entirely wrong as pertaining to the scriptures! For the church is made up of those who are gathered together in redemption by the Holy Spirit, and not the building in which they meet.
Consider Christ’s description as to the identity of the true church. They are identified by their spiritual hunger and thirst for righteousness, satisfied only in being nurtured by the Bread of Heaven. John 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
And it is in the satisfaction of this spiritual hunger by which the ‘location’ of the true church is to be found! Matthew 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. Luke 17:37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.
The identity of the spiritual organism of the church is where those who can mount up with wings as eagles are constantly drawing their spiritual sustenance from Christ! And these ‘gathered together’ ones are where Christ, by the Holy Spirit, shall appear. Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
And the very first truth that is listed in this Mystery of Godliness is that the eternal, invisible God took on the robe of humanity! John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. And being enabled to receive this is eternal life. John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. But this is only done by the gift of effectual faith. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Yet this knowledge is not just a mental ascent to an accepted confession of faith, but requires experiencing a personal fellowship with the Person of the Truth! Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
For with only a religious affiliation, while lacking the spiritual experience, can cause one to be so strongly deceived as to be set up in order to hear the most fatal, eternal indictment against themselves. – “I never knew you.” Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
For all their dedicated religious lives, thinking themselves to be doing marvelous works for the Lord, they were but doing the “work of iniquity.” For so is the practice of religion without the Holy Spirit!
Sad, sad, that bitter wail –
“Almost,” but lost!
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
Be very careful, dear Reader! Be very much concerned with your own soul. You only have this one opportunity to insure that its reliance is sustained solely upon the very Being and Person of Christ! – Not on the practice of religion; no matter how dedicated that might be!
Flee to Christ alone! For his fiery eyes cannot be deceived! And being in a religious family is not enough. You personally, as an individually must come to Christ personally! Luke 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
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