1 Timothy 3:16
"Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, justified by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory."
The church is the pillar and foundation of truth, then what is truth? When Jesus Christ was captured and put on trial before Governor Pilate, he also asked the same question. When Jesus discussed truth with Pilate, he asked, "What is truth?" Unfortunately, though he asked the right question, he did not listen to what Jesus said. So even they find no fault against Jesus, the bible said, "But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed." For Pilate, the voice of the crowd replaced the truth.
Isn't it the same with the world today? What the mainstream agrees is the truth; whoever makes more noises is the truth; whoever speaks in eloquence is the truth. Especially in the United States, every congress person, politician, leader needs to overwhelm others with their speeches to show that they own the truth. In fact, the truth this world talks about is often quite biased, and not sustainable. The truth that the bible talks about is what's said in verse 16, "Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, justified by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory." Jesus Christ was God's equal, but for the sake of saving us, he became flesh and died on the cross for us.
"Justified by the Spirit", spoke of Christ's resurrection, proving that He had victory over the power of sin; not only victory over sin, also His followers can have victory over sin, as well as justification before God. "Seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations", the angels are witness to God's entire plan of salvation, from the birth of Jesus to His ascension to heaven, the angels are in it to explain to the entire universe how God loves people. This love is not limited to the Jews, they are only God's chosen race to complete the plan of salvation, and the will of God is to let people of the world to enjoy his love.
"Believed on in the world, taken up in glory", since Jesus rose from the dead, all the authority from both heaven and earth are in his hands, He is God of the universe, the God that is beyond history and civilization, the God that is beyond the limits of reasons, the bible says, "from everlasting to everlasting He is God." Christ is the everlasting truth who does not change like shifting shadows. The eastern philosophies pursue the way and the western philosophies pursue the truth, but only Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life." Only through Jesus we can find the everlasting love and righteousness, as well as the value of people in eternity.
Pray with Pastor Tong
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