The God Of Glory Series

Paul writes of the mystery of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:25–27). This is the mystery of godliness. The mystery of Christ dying for us, living within us, relating to us. "This mystery, is Jesus establishing you in Him because He lives in you."

The mystery which has been hidden for ages, foretold by the prophets is now revealed through Jesus Christ, who is the gospel message.

Verse 26 indicates the mystery that was previously predicted in veil words by Scriptures and prophets is now to be made know to the nations so that they might become obedient to the Lord of Life. "but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith;"

The message of the gospel of Christ was "hidden" in the Old Testament, but is revealed in the New. In the prophetic writings (of the O.T.; Rom. 1:2), given by the command of the eternal God (1 Tim. 1:17), Christ was referred to (Luke 24:44-45), but even the prophets themselves were not fully aware of all they wrote (1 Peter 1:10-12). But now after the coming of Christ their writings are understood.

The goal of this "revelation of the mystery" (Rom. 16:25) is that people of all nations might believe and obey Christ (1:5; 15:18; 1 Peter 1:2). Paul's concern for the geographical spread of the gospel is evident here (Mt. 28:19)[, appropriate in view of his writing to the believers at the empire's capital city].

The Sacred Writings reveal a time when all men of all nations would know God. That time is not yet; but it is the dream of God that some day the knowledge of Him will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea, and it is the glory of man that he can help make God's dream come true.

This gospel of Jesus Christ calls for obedience that is founded on faith, on a surrender which is the result of love. ["For the obedience of faith," i.e. that they should become obedient to the faith (Rom. 1:5).] For Paul the Christian is not a man who has surrendered to a crushing power or law. The Christi is one who has fallen in love with the God who is the lover of the souls of men and whose amazing love stands for ever full-displayed in Jesus Christ. [Barclay, William. The Letter to the Romans. Westminister Press. 1975. Philidelpia. P. 222].

This gospel so long concealed, or revealed but partially in the ancient prophets, is now, by the command of God, to be made known among all nations. Taking the gospel to all corners of the world will require great strength and fortitude but God would not call us to the task if He were not "able" and willing to "establish" us. Accordingly, we must look up continually to Him and see in the gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, the revelation of the mystery, that God has intervened in the human arena and that, having called people to faith in and obedience to Christ, He will strengthen us for the task ahead.

IV. THE GOSPEL THAT DISPLAYS GOD'S GLORY, 27.

Paul identified specifically the object of his benediction in verse 27. "to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen."