The Mystery Doctrine and Practice - Why is it so Important

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes(rulers) of this world, that come to nought:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:8 Which none of the princes(rulers) of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. I Corinthians 2:7-8

None of us are perfect, so we can get confused when we read a verse like this. The word 'perfect' in the above verse refers to those who have the complete, mature, and accurate understanding as to the purpose and reality of the Messiah.  God had an intent and purpose for Jesus Christ. If we want to see the power of God we need to understand what God intended in Jesus Christ. In order to find it we need to look at the 'hidden wisdom'. 

26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery(hidden secret) among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect (mature) in Christ Jesus: Colossians 1:26-28

Knowledge alone does not mature us.  It is when we utilize knowledge with strong humility that spurs our growth.  Jesus Christ's purpose is to expose darkness and where it lurks. We are able to overcome the earthy and devilish wisdom of the world through Christ in us.

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 1 Corinthians 12:27

We are all 'essential' workers in the congregation of Christ. There is no spiritual elite because we all have the gift of holy spirit with which to fan our great individual potential. In I Corinthians 12:27ff, God  through Paul, reveals the imagery of the human body as it relates to the body of Christ working together. It is a beautiful analogy and tells us uniquely how we relate to one another. We each have the confidence and assurance to do our part and not infringe on someone else's part. The hand cannot function without the shoulder and the elbow, but at the same time, the shoulder cannot perform the same function as the hand. All the parts of the body need each other, yet every part of the body of Christ has Christ as its head. So many parts operating in sync with the head is unbeatable. Jesus told his disciples that they would do greater works than he because he needed to go to the Father. God has granted him the authority to direct the church an he does that through the spirit.

We do not have an absent Christ. He is connected to us. Is that so outlandish? Thirty Years ago, did we think we could talk face to face with each other?  Today even though I might be 1000 miles away from my kids and grandkids, I can be present with them via Facetime. It is nothing for God to utilize the communication lines of holy spirit to keep us all tied together. When you login, the password is prayer.

3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us (other people with the same communication lines): and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. I John 1:3

That is powerful! Think about what we have access to! On the internet we have access to some really great human references, human experts, resource books, data, interviews and videos on any topic. We have a stronger, more powerful connection with God and we don't have to deal with the junk and darkness that the internet is filled with. (Analogies can just go so far). God's wisdom is pure wisdom with not even a hint of darkness.

One of my favorite records is in the book of Numbers. Gold gave instructions to Moses:

16 And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone. Numbers 11:16-17

This is from the Old Testament before Christ's time.  Spirit was upon certain men. Joshua noticed two people operating the spirit of God outside the camp and went and told Moses. Mose's response?:

29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!

Here is a beautiful hint of God's desire which came to pass starting on the day of Pentecost after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. Pentecost was the birth of the church that is the led by Jesus Christ.  On the day of Pentecost God's heart's desire was fulfilled. We celebrate it this coming Sunday. Happy Birthday to the Church! Let the candles blaze! What a great time to focus on that gift of God's Spirit and exchange its presence with each other.