In the first two chapters alone of the letter to his beloved Colossians, Paul uses the phrase “in Christ” 15 times. He knows the revelation and realization of this mystery is essential if he is to succeed in presenting everyman complete to the Father. He also says Jesus Christ is God’s mystery and that He must richly dwell within our hearts.
How comfortable is western culture with mystery? Can our mighty society conceive of building anything on something so mushy as a mystery? Western culture is barreling full steam ahead, powered by selfish ambition and technology. It has little room for transcendence (although it flirts with it vicariously through fantasy. How else do you explain our fascination with zombies and vampires?). Will the citizens of this kingdom be able to transfer the weight of what they are building onto Jesus Christ, Who is the only foundation that will withstand the shaking that is to come? Will members of this earth’s kingdoms be capable of seeing themselves in the narrative of an invisible kingdom that is still unfolding? The answer is “no,” not unless there is a revelation of Jesus Christ – God’s mystery.
The name of this blog, In The Middle With Mystery, has confused some. They say, “What’s the big mystery? I believe Jesus is the Son of God, He died for my sin, and I’m going to heaven. What’s so mysterious about that?” At this point, I propose that salvation is a larger idea than getting men to heaven, that it involves the communal-process of getting heaven into man. This is a central feature to the good news, as Paul understood it. Achieving this is how he envisions the gospel spreading: “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.”
The conduct Paul is referring to is simply resurrection life being manifested through us. When he spoke of salvation, he was never thinking (as we do) of a singular decision that results in life after death. To Paul, salvation was a process where the life of Christ in us is always being worked out in our every day eating, drinking, playing, and working lives. He understood that we are each preaching some version of the gospel at all times. This is why he says, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
What does resurrection life look like anyway? Our passage explains:
As those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:12-17)
To present every man whole to God, Paul must convey that this salvation process is not a solo affair. We have each been grafted into a single body and are now members of one another. This is why he said working out our salvation includes fear and trembling. He understood salvation does not happen without the messy, high friction dynamic of being together. This is why “one another” is mentioned 100 times in the NT. This was Jesus’ idea:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. Love one another as I have loved you. John 13:34-35
It is daunting to see that the love-relational bar has been set at such an impossible height. Who can love like Jesus? No one can unless Christ lives in him. Loving one another like Christ can only be done as we embrace the reality that we have died in Christ and have been raised in Christ to newness of life. We can only clear the bar in Christ and “all” things are possible with God.
I do see hope in Jesus Christ—God’s mystery in us. I do see us living in a hope-filled narrative that is still unfolding. That we do not know the particulars or the timing of the next chapter is a mystery, but we do know that Jesus prevails. A future chapter includes all knees bowing before Him, all tongues confessing Him as Lord. All things are possible to Him. Camels do find their way through the eyes of needles. Jesus (not the religion of Christianity) is going to conquer every kingdom. Will it be upon His return? Will it be after we have left these bodies?
What if, by God’s grace, we were awakened to our bankruptcy outside of Christ, and we asked God to intervene, showing us how salvation is worked out in Christ, in the here and now? In the presence of overwhelming odds, I recall Abraham, taking a bold approach with God – his friend, and negotiating for the salvation of Sodom. Perhaps we should reconsider how God sees us and begin praying, in that spirit, for our nation and this world with the same chutzpah that only a friend of God would dare.
No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15)
Father, as Your friends and children, who are caught up into a great Mystery, help us to transfer the full weight of our existence upon You. Only You know how we have hedged our bets. Expose us that our hearts can return to childlikeness so we might see the unseen and trust You in the presence of our imperfect understanding. Amen.