THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS
"I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. And by common confession (beyond all question, NIV; without controversy, KJV) GREAT IS THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was  Vindicated in the Spirit, Beheld by angels, Proclaimed among the nations,  Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory" (1 Timothy 3:15-16).

Devotion 11 of 13

BELIEVED ON IN THE WORLD
(In the realm of the curse)
     If our text had said He was believed on in heaven, it would be easy to receive. But, when it says God was believed on "in the world," a most remarkable thing is seen. This is a fallen world, a cursed world, a degenerating world--and yet faith is found here! This is the realm dominated by Satan, who is its "prince" and "god" (John 12:31; 2 Cor 4:4). The "whole world" lies in the power of the wicked one (1 John 5:19)--and yet God is "believed on in the world."  That is a most remarkable circumstance, and it is evidence of godliness!

     Believing is here accomplished without the confirmation of sight! Men were not brought to heaven so they could believe! They did not see God in His effulgence, even in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was veiled with the flesh of humanity, which hid His glory from the eyes of men. It is written, "For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him" (Isa 53:2). In spite of this circumstance, He was "believed on in the world." And why so? It is the power of godliness--the power of Divine life lived  out in the realm of sense and time. Faith needs no confirmation through the  senses. In fact, the need for confirmation belies the reality of faith. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things NOT seen" (Heb 11:1).

     Believing is accomplished in a realm that contradicts the message. Faith evidences the temporal realm has been overcome! In fact, that is the victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4-5). When it is written, "believed on in the world," a marvelous thing is announced. Satan's temptations to disbelieve have been overcome. The doctrines of demons have been overcome. The proclivities of the flesh to the earth have been overcome. Imaginations and strong arguments to the contrary have been overcome. No wonder godliness is associated with mystery.  There is no form of worldly wisdom that can account for such accomplishments!

     Godliness results in strong faith--believing on the Lord Jesus while in this  world. Where faith is not found, godliness is not found! The two are wed together, and cannot be separated.
 
RECEIVED UP INTO GLORY
     Having lived triumphantly in the world, the Lord Jesus was received back into glory; the realm where the Divine nature has no competition. Sent from heaven, the Lord Jesus lived with heaven in view, embracing heaven's agenda. Before leaving the world, the Savior prayed to the Father about that glory. "Father, the hour is come, glorify Thy Son . . . And now, glorify Thou me with Thine own Self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was . . . Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which Thou hast given Me . . . " (John 17:1,5,24).

     While He was "in the world," Jesus was a heavenly stranger. He did not blend with the world order. "He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not"(John 1:10). Yet, He did not compromise His character, or fuse with the world that "passes away." He finished His work without jeopardizing His holiness. When Jesus said, "I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do" (John 17:4), He did so without being defiled in any way. When the Father laid the iniquities of the world upon His Son, it was the first time sin had ever touched His Person. Until that time, and after it, He was "holy, harmless, undefiled," and "separate from sinners" (Heb 7:26). For this reason, He was "received up into  glory." An unholy life cannot be received into a holy realm. Only an undefiled person can be welcomed into an undefiled realm!

     The 24th Psalm portrays the Lord's return to glory. "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye life up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory will come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah" (Psa 24:7-10). How glorious the sight! The triumphant "Man, Christ Jesus" (1 Tim 5:6) returns from the defeat of the enemy. Angelic hosts are challenged to throw the gates open wide, to receive the King of glory. However, a man has never entered into this realm before. Thus their question, "Who is this  King of glory?" They were told this was "the Lord, mighty in battle."  He had plundered the hosts of darkness (Col 2:15), and destroyed the devil (Heb 2:14). Sin had been "put away" (Heb 9:26), and the world had been "reconciled" to God (2 Cor 5:18-20). He had finished the work He was given to do, and was thus received into glory. Make no mistake about this, faithfulness is a requisite for being received into glory!

     "Received into glory" is more than simply entering into the glory; it is being welcomed, exalted, and given all power. In the case of our Lord, "He was received up into haven, and sat on the right hand of God" (Mark 16:19b). God the Father "highly exalted Him," and has "given Him a name which is above every name" (Phil 2:9). When the life of God is faithfully lived out in the earth, exaltation by God the Father will follow.

     Wherever a godly life is found, a welcome in glory will be experienced. The world to come will receive those that have lived in the world as citizens of heaven! The consummation of godliness is an abundant entrance "into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet 1:11). 

PRAYER POINT: Father, Your Gospel has refreshed my soul, and, through the Spirit, Your promises have empowered me participate in the Divine nature. In the name of Jesus, I praise You for Your mighty power and glorious Gospel! I am looking forward to being received up into glory with Jesus.

-- TOMORROW: DIVINE LIFE MADE KNOWN IN THE WORLD --