The Mystery of Godliness

Our small group just began studying 1st Timothy, and last night's discussion was the overview of the entire letter. Great content (but then, isn't that true of the entire Bible?). Very much looking forward to it. Some potentially controversial issues lie within, but I'm praying God will lead us and that we will have hearts to hear what His Word says. It will be "all good."

Right now my favorite part of the book (and I'm sure that will change week to week) is the beautifully poetic exposition of the gospel that Paul recites immediately following his purpose for writing (3:14-15). He calls it the mystery of godliness. I don't have any brilliant commentary to share; the gospel is brilliant on it's own...

"Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on by the world,
taken up in glory."
(1 Timothy 3:16)

resting in righteousness

here is another excerpt from “a gospel primer for christians: learning to see the glories of God’s love” by milton vincent. another one of the many reasons to rehearse the gospel daily…

“the gospel encourages me to rest in my righteous standing with God, a standing which Christ Himself has accomplished and always maintains for me.[A] i never have to do a moment’s labor to gain or maintain my justified status before God![B] freed from the burden of such a task, i now can put my energies into enjoying God, pursuing holiness, and ministering God’s amazing grace to others. the gospel also reminds me that my righteous standing with God always holds firm regardless of my performance, because my standing is based solely on the work of Jesus and not mine.[C] on my worst days of sin and failure, the gospel encourages me with God’s unrelenting grace toward me.[D] on my best days of victory and usefulness, the gospel keeps me relating to God solely on the basis of Jesus’ righteousness and not mine.”

[A] - romans 5: “(1) therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (2) through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we exult in hope of the glory of God.” I john 2: “(1)…and if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; (2) and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins…”

[B] - romans 4:5 “but to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,” hebrews 4:3 “for we who have believed enter that rest…” matthew 11:28 “come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

[C] - romans 5: “(18) so then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. (19)…through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.”

[D] - romans 5: “(20)…where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, (21) so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (6:1) what shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace might increase?” 1 john 2: “(1)… and if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (2) and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins…”