Thursday, 16^th March 2023

Andrews Ampomah

TOPIC: GOD REVEALED

THEME SCRIPTURE: “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” - 1 Timothy 3:16

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. Who is Jesus?
2. Do you strive to know Him better?

 

We have come across a verse that forms the very basis of our Christian faith and reveals who Jesus is and His ministry as a whole. Christians over the years have had various confessions of faith deeply steeped in the Bible that we affirm and believe. Examples of such confessions are the Apostle’s Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Westminster Divines, etc. Paul here emphasizes the importance of what we confess…great indeed, we confess…he says. Historically, Christian confessions span the 1^st Century Church till now and the essence of confessionalism, which is an important aspect of our way of worship, is to ensure that distortions against truth are corrected.

Here in verse 16, Paul says what we confess…is the mystery of godliness… What this simply means is that what already existed is no more a mystery but has now come to light. This implies that who we confess existed and was hidden but has now been revealed to us. This confession Paul refers to is more of a Person than a set of teachings; the reference here is made to Jesus who is God. He is not created, and was hidden but has now been revealed.

Beloved in Christ, this forms the very basis of our Christian faith; this is a confession in defense of the Deity of Christ Jesus as God and also His ministry.

Have you taken the time to know well Christ Jesus as a Christian? This Jesus whom we believe was “manifested in the flesh…” This obviously refers to the incarnation, God becoming flesh and dwelling amongst men. He was ‘…vindicated by the Spirit…’ In other words, Jesus was justified by the Spirit. What does it mean to be justified if he was not accused? The Bible makes it clear that it was the Holy Spirit who quickened Jesus out of the grave. Out of the grave, he was “…seen by angels…” both at the tomb and during his ascension to testify of his Lordship and victory over the grave. This same Jesus was “proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world.”

Since the day of Pentecost Jesus has been the centre of what we preach and through him, people believe and are saved.

Finally, this same Jesus whom we believe was “taken up in glory.” This refers to the ascension where He now sits at the right hand of the Father.

Beloved, how well do you know Jesus? What did you believe and what do you believe now? What assurance does this truth brings to you? Knowing Jesus well makes our Christian walk and our worship better and easier. Paul said that I might know him… Brethren in Christ, should we not resolve to know Jesus better today and every other day He gives us?

FURTHER READING – John 1:1-18

 

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. How much is confession of God’s truth a part of your daily life?

 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, grant me a strong desire and to be spurred on to make knowing Jesus my greatest preoccupation in life, in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

Leviticus 24; Psalms 131; Psalms 132; Psalms 133; Psalms 134; Luke 7