CHRIST: THE MYSTERY WE PREACH - PART 2

FRIDAY 07 SEPTEMBER 2023

Christ is the very mystery we proclaim. This mystery entails moral truth, His examples, His character, His conduct and godly attributes, plus His godliness and attitude of the mind, and they are all important in the realm of proclamation. More below!

Reference: Colossians 1:28-29 New International Version (NIV) "He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me."

To expound the truths embedded in the affirmation of the above Scriptures, I will split the versified statements into four segments and then travel through the tunnel of each segment in the successive parts of this topic for the in-depth analysis. They are as follows:

1. He is the one we proclaim, 2. Admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, 3. So that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 4. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

The first segment is distinct and profound in influence, commanding strong attention, and that is:

He (Christ) is the one we proclaim.

Why do we proclaim or profess Christ? Firstly, this is because we've been chosen to do so. To that effect, 1 Peter 2:9 says, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (NKJV). Got it? As stated in this Scripture, notice that we are chosen to proclaim His praises.

Secondly, this is because we've been commissioned to do so by Christ Himself. According to Mark 16:15, "He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation" (NIV). With the energy of our new life in Christ, we've been empowered to proclaim His wondrous acts and glory and to manifest His virtues, perfection and excellencies wherever we go, and such a firm constancy will continue to be displayed through our lives as we completely yield to the governing and enabling influence of the Spirit.

Beloved, as I mentioned in the beginning of this article, the mystery, namely Christ, is a vastly superior treasure of wisdom and knowledge, which necessitates spiritual realities based on moral truth; His examples, His character, His conduct and godly attributes, plus His godliness and attitude of the mind, and they are all-important elements in the realm of proclamation. For instance, Christ is the mystery of godliness we proclaim.

To that effect, 1st Timothy 3:16 noted, "And I think you will agree that the mystery of godliness is great: He was revealed in the flesh, proven right in the Spirit; He was seen by the heavenly messengers, preached to outsider nations. He was believed in the world, taken up to the heavens in glory" (The Voice). Here apostle Paul emphasised the essence of Christ's godliness and the sequence of His clear-cut revelation and manifestations with utmost accuracy. Beloved, Christ is the great mystery from which true godliness springs.

Stay tuned for part 3, where I will discuss the next point in the versified sequence, in accordance with my epistolary speech. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Isaiah 12:4; Psalm 105:1; Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8.

Guided Prayer: Heavenly Father, I'm forever grateful for choosing me and transferring me to the Kingdom of your exalted Son, and establishing me in your light through the glorious gospel, which I received with all meekness and have taken my firm stand on it. By sharing and proclaiming this gospel in my world, many souls are saved, thereby coming to the true knowledge of Christ and holding firmly to the Word preached to them with profound and unspeakable joy. Thank you Lord for being their rock of strength, as they turn away from their old way of life, in Jesus' Name, Amen.