Tuesday, November 27, 2018
When
Paul uses the term “mystery” he is referring to the truth that was partially
revealed under the old covenant but is now on display in all its fullness to
the new covenant people of God. “This
message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been
revealed to his own holy people.” (v. 26).
When
you were young, did you ever play or participate in a “club” with the children
in your neighborhood? Or perhaps you
joined a sorority in college. Either
way, you had to perform certain rites and rituals in order to be accepted into
the club. I think we all take it for granted today that
the gospel is for all people and that those who believe in it, become full
citizens of the kingdom of God; heirs to all the promises that the Lord has
made to His people throughout history.
In
the first century however, this was a radical idea. Strict interpretations of the purity laws in
the Torah (Genesis through Deuteronomy), made it difficult for the earliest
Jewish Christians to believe Gentiles could remain Gentiles and become faithful
servants of Yahweh. We still see that
today in some religions. Some require
you to make public appearances to convince the rest of the congregation that you
“belong”. Some have to take classes and
convince a group of people they are worthy.
There
is only one sin that is unpardonable – the sin of unbelief. God has provided a means for eternal
salvation – Jesus Christ, and His death on the cross, for “whoever believes in
Him” (John 3:16). And the only condition
under which forgiveness would not be granted is those who reject the only means
of salvation. Jesus said, “I am the way
and the truth and the life. No one comes
to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
This makes it clear that He and He alone is the path to God and to
salvation. To reject the only means of
salvation is unpardonable, and in that sense, is the greatest sin of all.
As
Paul continues to explain to the Colossians that the Gentiles are full-fledged
brothers and sisters, he makes it clear that Jesus, by His Spirit, dwelling in
all believers, no matter their background, makes Jews and Gentiles full citizens
in the kingdom of God (1:27). We are all
so identified with Christ that it is impossible for any Christian to be a
second-class citizen. And we can add to
this grace the fact that our hope of glory in Jesus has present and future
aspects. In the present, we are assured
that we belong to Him and will persevere so that in the future we will enjoy
the full benefits of redemption – life in a resurrected body before the
presence of God in the new heaven and earth (Rev. 21).
So
the next time you find yourself thinking of other people as lesser Christians
than yourself because of how they dress, or what they eat and drink, or how
knowledgeable they are about the finer points of theological arguments, or a
number of other factors, bow your head and remember that Christ dwells in ALL who truly love Him, and He has given us
all the same rights in His kingdom.