Studies in the Person And Work of Jesus Christ: Chapter Three

The Mystery of Godliness Chapter Three

“The manifestation of God is both a mystery and a revelation” Those two thing seem to be contradictory, don’t they?  But Timothy 3:16 tells us that both are true:  Without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness:  God was made manifest in the flesh . . .”

What is the definition of godliness?

There is a general revelation in creation, but that proves only ungodliness, the inward disposition of the soul is away from God.

 Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse

Pg.22 “The natural man has no faculty by which he can comprehend or evaluate the things of the Spirit”  (1 Cor 2:14  4 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.)  Only in regeneration by the Spirit, can a person’s inward disposition be turned toward God.

Def:  Regeneration is the communication of the principle of life to man by the operation of the Spirit.

Bottom of pg. 22 re: Fall

Eve tried to get her wisdom through the creation rather than the Creator; Adam (our Federal Head) followed suite.

Pg 23, first full paragraph, re: mental assent.  

Godliness comes through regeneration and causes a change in the “recipient” (born again) is now able to discern spiritual truth.  There will be progressive change (not at the same rate or same areas in all Christians, but there will be a change because of the inward disposition of the soul is changed.  It continues through illumination of the Holy Spirit 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

Pg.23 last paragraph:  Read and discuss sanctification—there will be a growth in grace and truth; no grow whatsoever, then mental assent only.

Pg 24 “Mystery of godliness is great because of the Persons involved in it”  Brings man and God together
    In One Person
    Also in our union with Christ John 17:11-12 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept
Pg.24:  to be and to be manifested are two different things.
    God has always been but He has not always been manifested.
Pg 24 bottom paragraph:  mystery is still a mystery.

We have to leave it there.  Deut 29:29  The secret things belong to God.  (decrees of God)

Pg 25:  Godliness is a mystery even to the elect. (clearer sight when we see the face of God)
2nd full paragraph re: paradoxical statements (a figure of speech, a form of statement that seems to unite two opposite ideas  Packer ESG)

Last paragraph pg. 25:  Christ was abased, we must work out our salvation with humility.

Pg: 26 top:  Discuss   “The glory of God in the church is brighter when the church is outwardly abased.”

Persecuted (outwardly abased) church vs. Laodicean (inwardly abased) church

4 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—