MEDITATIONS
FROM PAULS’ EPISTLES
April 4,
2007
Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
"But of Him you are in Christ Jesus” 1 Corinthians
Twenty-seven times the word mystery occurs in the New Testament, the
majority of which are in reference to the workings of God in our salvation.
They often speak of the mystical union created between Jesus Christ and those
He has saved.
“This is a great mystery: but I speak
concerning Christ and the church” Ephesians
There are three mystical
unions presented in the scriptures:
1: The three Persons of the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They
are three Persons and yet they are One. The word
frequently used in Hebrew is Elohim – God in the plural. Not Gods but God. This
is used in the first verse of the Bible, “In the beginning God (Elohim) create
… “ Then in verse 26 Elohim says, “Let us make man in Our image, according
to Our likeness.” This remains a mystical union that none can adequately
explain.
“For there are three
that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and
these three are one” 1 John 5:7.
2: The two natures of Jesus. At the same time He
remained truly God and truly Man. How that is possible is a mystery. It is a
mystical union we believe because the scriptures tell us is a fact. We do not
understand it, but we believe it. He did not give up His deity when He became
“And without controversy great is the
mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received
up in glory” 1 Timothy
3: The union between Jesus Christ and those who are truly born again. To
be in Christ is the position of every one who has been made a new creation by
faith in Jesus Christ:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he
is a new creation” 2 Corinthians 5:17. “That I may gain Christ and be found in Him” Philippians 3:8-9.
“Even when we were dead in trespasses,
(He) made us alive together with
Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us
sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” Ephesians 2:5-6.
‘Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies!
Who can explore His strange designs?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love Divine!
‘Tis mercy
all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds enquire no more.
No condemnation now I
dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is
mine!
Alive in Him, my living
Head,
And clothed in
righteousness Divine,
Bold I approach the eternal
throne,
And claim the crown,
through Christ alone.
Charles Wesley.