088. 1TI 3:16. THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS

1Ti_3:16. The Mystery of Godliness

"Great is the mystery of godliness."’971Ti_3:16.

The text contains the grand leading events in the life and works of Christ, and which form the basis of the great scheme of human redemption. The clause which forms the text is a kind of introduction to these events.

We shall endeavor to show, I. In what respects the scheme of Redemption is a great Mystery. And, II. How it may be said to be a great Mystery of Godliness.

I. Show in what respects the Scheme of Redemption is a great Mystery.

It is so, if we consider,

1. The subjects of redemption.

Man, and not angels. Man, who had been invested with dignity, and riches and happiness; who was made holy, freely fell, and thus chose the death that had been denounced in case of transgression. Man, unworthy of God’s mercy, and utterly reckless of it.

If we consider,

2. The mode of his redemption.

Was not effected by a simple declaration of pardon. "Not redeemed with corruptible things," &c.; but by the incarnation, obedient and sorrowful life, and ignominious death, of God’s only Son, by the precious blood of Christ.

"Amazing love! how could it be,

That thou, my Lord, shouldst die for me?"

If we consider,

3. The glorious consequences of redemption.

Heaven reconciled to earth. God now at peace with the returning believing sinner. Offer of pardon, peace, adoption, sanctification, eternal glory, in and through Christ. God now,

"Makes slaves the partners of his throne,

Decked with an everlasting crown."

Now, this may be called a great mystery; as it is,

(1) What human wisdom could never have devised. It is a stumbling-block to the Jew, and foolishness to the Greek. The world, by wisdom, never could have found out God, or obtained reconciliation with him. Such a mystery,

(2) As completely baffled devils. They little thought of the result, when instigating Judas to betray him’97the Chief Priests to condemn and crucify him. They knew not that in this way he was obtaining salvation for the world. It was, however, thus that he overcame principalities and powers, &c. Such a mystery,

(3) That angels cannot comprehend it. They desire to look into these things, &c. They pass by sun, and moon, and stars, and become the students of the cross; but their enlarged capacities are quite inadequate to the mighty task. God only knows the love of God to Prayer of Manasseh 1 Pot. 1Ti_1:12. Such a mystery,

(4) As will require eternity to explore it. There we shall see more clearly’97have many facilities over the present; but we hesitate not to say, that eternity itself will be found too short to know fully and perfectly the height, and depth, and length, and breadth of the love of God, which passeth knowledge. Observe,

II. That this is a great Mystery of Godliness.

It is so, inasmuch as,

1. It reveals the only foundation of godliness.

Opens the way to the true know edge of God; brings us to the only medium of securing the favor of God; renews us in the image of God: and puts within us the Spirit of God, by which we know that we are the sons of God; Rom_8:1-2, Rom_8:15, Rom_8:16.

2. By a belief of this we become entitled to all the blessings of godliness.

By faith justified. Children of God by faith. By faith enjoy the precious promises. Live by faith. And die happy, and are forever blessed, if we die in the faith.

3. By its influence on the heart and life it leads to the practice of godliness.

Grace of God, &c., teacheth us to deny ungodliness, &c.; Tit_2:12. "Sanctify them through thy truth," &c.; Joh_17:17.

4. As the whole redounds to the honor and glory of God.

God is magnified in all his Son hath done; and is glorified in the experience and lives of all who are saved by his grace. They show forth his praise now; and they will adore and praise him in heaven forever. Here his wisdom, power, truth, holiness, justice, mercy, goodness and grace are all exhibited in happy and eternal harmony; Rev_4:11; Rev_5:12-13; Eph_3:21.

Application

Learn,

1. The true greatness and sublimity of the Christian religion. The production of the eternal mind of God. A religion which in all its parts is only perfectly known to Himself. Let this thought humble us, and check vain and impertinent curiosity. Secret things belong to the Lord; revealed things, to us and to our children forever.

2. Let all diligently search that revelation he has given, and thus be made wise unto salvation.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS