Interpretations: The Mystery Program - The mystery of God

When Paul penned the epistle to believers in Christ at Colossi, he was held in Rome, awaiting his appearance before Caesar, Acts 28:16, 30-31. Paul had not visited with the believers at Colossi in any of his three missionary journeys, but he heard of their faith in Christ Jesus and their love to all the saints, Colossians 1:4-6. It was not necessary for Paul to have visited Colossi, because there is a hope laid up in heaven for all of us, Romans 5:1-5. This hope rests upon the Word of truth that came to them and to the whole world since Paul’s preaching began, and until the rapture. It was only necessary for Paul to preach the Word he received from Christ Jesus, Galatians 1:11-12. In just the span of two years while Paul preached in Ephesus, all in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks, Acts 19:10.

The purpose of the mystery of God included Paul, who by God’s grace, placed him in the position of apostle to the Gentiles and preach the Lord Jesus Christ to them, Galatians 1:15-16. Paul proclaims his position as a minister in this dispensation of grace, according to God’s will, to fulfill the Word of God, Colossians 1:25-28. The mysteries given to Paul had been hidden in times past but are now manifest to the Body-of-Christ. The purpose and timing of this reveal to Paul was to make known the riches of the glory, which is Christ in us, the hope of glory, among the Gentiles. Not on is this unique to the Body-of-Christ, but this revelation of the mysteries continues to be taught to the Body-of-Christ so that each of us will be presented before God, perfect in Christ Jesus, Colossians 1:28-2:1.

The occasion for this epistle by Paul to believers in Christ at Colossi and in Laodicea, was the tremendous effort by false teachers to draw believers from faith in Christ. They were polluting the Word with false teachings and making believer’s faith shipwreck, Colossians 2:1, 1Timothy 1:18-20. Paul intended that the believers in Christ Jesus would be comforted in the face of pressures against faith in Christ Jesus, Colossians 2:2, by:

• Holding to the love they had for one another
• Resting in all the riches in the full assurance of understanding to the mystery of God

This includes the understanding and acknowledgement of the Father and of Christ, where in the Father and Christ are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Colossians 2:3. Each believer in the Body-of-Christ possesses such a wealth of promises, so we are complete in Christ and can resist all of the wiles and subtleties of Satan, Colossians 2:4-5, 9-10.

Being in such a position and having received these promises, we are to walk in the ways of the Lord, rooted in Him and maturing in our walk with thanksgiving, Colossians 2:6-8, 9-10.

For a modern-day application, Lamb and Lion Ministries hosted a conference, “Contending for the Faith 2019 Bible Conference,” which addressed many of the challenges the church faces today. Two of the presentation by Mike Gendron and Eric Barger, can be viewed at their online site, Christinprophecy.org.