What is the full knowledge of God’s mystery?
Paul poured out his heart to the Colossians – “For I want you to understand how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not seen my face in the flesh, so that their hearts may be encouraged, having been held together in love, even unto all the wealth of the full assurance of understanding, unto the full knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2: 1-3)
Pastor John MacArthur wrote – “Christians do not become little gods, but they are a ‘new creation’ (2 Cor. 5: 17) and have the Holy Spirit living in them (1 Cor. 6: 19-20) …At the time of salvation, the believer escapes from the power which the rottenness in the world has over him through his fallen, sinful nature.” (MacArthur, 1708)
The apostle Peter taught the believers – “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these things are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1: 5-8)
The ‘mystery’ Paul spoke of above in the verses from Colossians, refers to the fact that the Messiah Christ is God incarnate Himself. Paul further writes in his letter or epistle to Timothy – “And by common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was manifested in the flesh, was vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” (1 Timothy 3: 16)
The false teachers that Paul was dealing with in Colossae “…claimed to possess a secret wisdom and transcendent knowledge available only to the spiritual elite. In sharp contrast, Paul declared that all the richness of truth necessary for salvation, sanctification, and glorification is found in Jesus Christ, who Himself is God revealed.” (MacArthur, 1602)
If you have been led to follow spiritual teachers who are not leading you to the Jesus Christ of the New Testament, but away from Him, won’t you consider what is taught about Jesus in the New Testament? Paul wrote to the Romans – “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be repaid to Him? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11: 33-36)
