«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» (l Timothy 3:16).
TODAY’S TEXT was a hymn that was sung by the early Christian church.
Incarnated: Previously, in visions by the prophets, now revealed in person, manifested in the flesh, visible, palpable, close, intimate: close to God and to sinners.
Justified: That is, vindicated.
Testified: The angels testified of His divinity.
Preached: To all peoples, to the ends of the Earth.
Believed: Jesus preached to everyone and was believed by many.
Received: Resurrecting and ascending to Heaven was the ultimate triumph of the redemptive mission.
Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. He was incarnated, justified by the Spirit, seen by angels, announced to all peoples, believed throughout the world. And there is more. After He died, resurrected, and ascended to heaven, from where He had come; God received Him, acknowledging the total fulfillment of His mission and celebrating His definitive victory over sin, granting Him all the glory.
Enir is seventy-one years old and has been an Adventist for forty-three of those years. She mobilizes her church, including herself, to do mission work She gets up at 4 a.m. every day, has her devotional study, and does housework until I p.m. Then she goes out every day until the evening to give Bible studies.
During her whole life she has already brought more than two thousand people to Christ and the church through baptism. She says, «Let’s come out of idleness and comfort because Jesus is more anxious to return than we are to see Him return.» incarnated Christ is still vindicated, testified, preached, and believed throughout the world. Like Enir, we can and must all be instruments that reveal this wonderful mystery to others.
Therefore, Ellen G. White motivates us:
«Why are our lips so silent upon the subject of Christ’s righteousness and His love for the world? Why do we not give to the people that which will revive and quicken them into a new life» (Selected Messages, book 3, p. 184).