The mystery of godliness

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory. – 1 Timothy 3.16

‘The mystery of godliness’ is an interesting phrase that I am not sure I totally understand.

I guess that’s because that godliness is a true mystery. It is hard to grasp. I came across something that really seems to make sense those to describe what is necessary for true godliness.



Christ's incarnation         "He was manifested in the flesh,
Christ's resurrection "vindicated by the Spirit,
Christ's appearances  "seen by angels,
Christ's gospel                  "proclaimed among the nations,
Christ's followers         "believed on in the world,
Christ's ascension             "taken up in glory."

Seen that way it seems to make a lot of sense. Here we have the whole mystery explained in one simple chart.

Now that I see it that way it really is a beautiful picture of all that Christ accomplished. The mystery of our godliness is all focused on Christ and what He did. He came, He died and rose again, He was seen, He was proclaimed around the world, He was believed on in this world, and then taken up into glory.

Praise God for a mystery revealed!