The Mystery of Christ
The essence of the gospel is that the forgiveness of sin has opened the door for humanity to share in the kingdom inheritance of Jesus. Paul tells the Ephesians that this gospel is a “mystery” of God that has been revealed in Christ.
Colossians 1:25-27 (NIV) “I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness - the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
What is the core of this “mystery?” That God Himself now dwells in and amongst His people through the indwelling Christ. This is the “word of God in its fullness” that Paul proclaimed.
The Greek word for “mystery” is mysterion, which is a secret thing or hidden purpose that is not immediately obvious to the natural understanding. This mystery was formerly hidden in God, but has now been revealed through Jesus Christ. The gospel is not esoteric wisdom or a religious secret. It is the good news of God that is freely declared in Jesus Christ: God and humanity have been fully united.
Paul makes it clear that there are depths to the mystery of Christ, depths that are accessed through an experiential relationship with Him.
Colossians 2:1-3 (NIV) “I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Paul does not mean human wisdom or knowledge in this passage. He is writing about spiritual wisdom and knowledge that reveal the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. These treasures of wisdom and knowledge are discovered through relationship with Him. The Christian walk is an exploration of His glory within us.
Our spiritual inheritance is already within us because we are in Christ! We do not need to wait until death to access it, because we have already been united with Christ by His Spirit. Jesus brought heaven to earth, and continues to do so through the Holy Spirit. Our heavenly Father is pleased to give us the kingdom because doing so glorifies His Son. The only limit is our unbelief. Paul expresses this truth in his letter to the church in Ephesus.
Ephesians 1:17 (NIV) “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparable great power for us who believe.”
Paul prays for the “eyes of their hearts to be enlightened.” The word “heart” here refers to the center of man’s spiritual life - the fountain of his thoughts, emotions, and understanding. Its meaning is virtually synonymous with the word “mind.” Paul is praying for the Spirit to enlighten and transform their minds, revealing the hidden treasure found through their union with Christ. The inheritance is in the mind. He is praying for a greater awareness of the mind of Christ in them, a revelation of their new humanity in Him.
Paul tells the Ephesians that the Spirit of wisdom and revelation allows us to know Christ better. This “knowing” is an experiential relationship with Christ and His gospel. Knowing about Jesus does not mean we truly know Him. The Spirit has given us the mind of Christ not only to grasp factual concepts about God, but to facilitate a living encounter with Him.
