The mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
Godliness (or a God-centered life) is not a system or a program. It is a person. The mystery of a fully God-centered life lies in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus appeared in a body and was vindicated by the Spirit. He is godliness in the flesh. He has lived the God-centered life, and our hope of living a godly life is found in him.
Being a Christian is more than believing in Jesus. It is the life of Jesus Christ in you by the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is the source of our life.
Paul speaks about “the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints… which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:26-27). Christ in you!
Faith is more than believing Christ. Faith unites us with Christ, so that we are in him and his life is in us. Faith receives Christ (John 1:12). Faith feeds on Christ (John 6:54). Christ is your life (Col. 3:4), and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).
Jesus gave us a wonderful illustration of this: “I am the vine; you are the branches” (John 15:5). Godliness is in him and godliness flows from him. It grows in us as we grow in him. Jesus Christ is the mystery of godliness. Our hope of godliness is found in him.
How does this need to reshape the way you pursue godliness?