Paul writes in 1 Timothy 3:16, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." This is a summary of the true story of Jesus. Paul says it is "without controversy." Truly it is without legitimate controversy. Many try to make it controversial. It was a "mystery" at one time, but the new Testament clears up that mystery (Ephesians 1:8-12) .
Paul writes that "God was manifest in the flesh ." God was manifest in the flesh in the "Word" which "was made flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). John writes that ".... the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Paul writes, "Jesus .... existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped" (V. 6, ASV). So, the Word, which was God, became flesh and dwelt among us in the form of Jesus. Jesus is God. Thus Paul writes of "the mystery of Godliness."
As God in the form of man, Jesus lived a sinless life. Everything that He did pleased God (Matthew 3:16-17; 17:5). As God is without sin, so is Jesus without sin (2 Cor. 5:20-21; Heb. 4:15). He had to be to be the sacrifice for our sins. God gave His sinless Son to die for sinful man. What love (Rom. 5:1-10)! He was seen of angels when he needed them for comfort and encouragement, as when he was tempted of the devil (Matt. 4:1-11).
The sinful world need such a one to die for them. And, they needed the Gospel, the Good News, of salvation. So, he was preached in to all the world (Luke 24:46-48). After He had done His work here, he ascended back to the Father from whence He had come, to one day return for those who have heeded His word (Acts 1:9-11).
One day He's coming back. The question is, "Are you ready?"
The story, the true story, that God became flesh in the Person of Jesus, lived a sinless life so that He could die in the place of sinful man, ascended back into heaven, is preached on in the world, and will one day come back for his own is truly a great story! Do you believe it? Those who truly do will be with Him forever (John 3:16-17; 1 Thes. 4:14-17).
L. John Bost
Strasburg Church of Christ
Paul writes that "God was manifest in the flesh ." God was manifest in the flesh in the "Word" which "was made flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). John writes that ".... the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Paul writes, "Jesus .... existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped" (V. 6, ASV). So, the Word, which was God, became flesh and dwelt among us in the form of Jesus. Jesus is God. Thus Paul writes of "the mystery of Godliness."
As God in the form of man, Jesus lived a sinless life. Everything that He did pleased God (Matthew 3:16-17; 17:5). As God is without sin, so is Jesus without sin (2 Cor. 5:20-21; Heb. 4:15). He had to be to be the sacrifice for our sins. God gave His sinless Son to die for sinful man. What love (Rom. 5:1-10)! He was seen of angels when he needed them for comfort and encouragement, as when he was tempted of the devil (Matt. 4:1-11).
The sinful world need such a one to die for them. And, they needed the Gospel, the Good News, of salvation. So, he was preached in to all the world (Luke 24:46-48). After He had done His work here, he ascended back to the Father from whence He had come, to one day return for those who have heeded His word (Acts 1:9-11).
One day He's coming back. The question is, "Are you ready?"
The story, the true story, that God became flesh in the Person of Jesus, lived a sinless life so that He could die in the place of sinful man, ascended back into heaven, is preached on in the world, and will one day come back for his own is truly a great story! Do you believe it? Those who truly do will be with Him forever (John 3:16-17; 1 Thes. 4:14-17).
L. John Bost
Strasburg Church of Christ
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