Elements of Faith – Mystery
The Mystery of Faith
“that your faith might not be in the wisdom of men,
but in the power of God”
1 Corinthians 2:5
The mystery of a living faith holds distinct elements that are manifested in the life of every true believer. For others, faith holds little or no mystery; their idea of faith is simply a statement of belief. It does not extend into the realm of the Spirit. It is a belief in His existence according to the beliefs and teachings they ascribe to, concise and logical without the wonder of God.
“Holding the mystery of the faith
in a pure conscience”
1 Timothy 3:9
Paul, speaking to Timothy of the true faith, (like all things with God), presents it as a mystery. It is a divine phenomenon. The relationship between humanity and its creator is the mystery. In the KJV, “mystery” is used 22 times by various authors in the New Testament. The use of this word is applied to many different aspects of God and His unfolding work within those who desire Him. God Himself is the great mystery and it is in our pursuit of Him that the various facets of Him are revealed.
“the mystery of the faith”
In our intense desire to know Him who is unknowable, we are struck with the power of His Word. There are many kinds of faith expressed within the world of religion. There is an article in the Greek that separates all other “faiths” from the true God-given, God-inspired faith of Christ Jesus Himself. It is “the faith” that Paul presents to us as a mystery. The heart that has touched its vibrancy knows inherently its great worth.
Paul spoke of this faith as the cause and the origin of the life that he lived in the flesh, in the now of life.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by* the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”
Galatians 2:20 (*by – Greek: instrumentality, through the means of)
The difference between religious faith and true faith will be distinguished by the life lived. “The Faith” is characterized by passion and intensity which is the means of continual growth and development.
It is this faith that Paul sets forth as a mystery. It cannot be held within the confines of doctrinal statements and the teachings of men. Its verity is obvious in the lives of those who know its fire and impulse. Religion rests in words while true faith is rooted in the life of Christ Himself.
“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work”
John 4:34
The “faith of Christ” will produce an unction within to “DO the will of Him” and an earnest desire to finish the work the Father has intended for each of us.
Life is to be a holy adventure, a pursuit, an unending journey into the power and dynamic of the living Christ by virtue of “the faith” imparted unto us.
Faith without the works and dynamic of God pressing us to greater things is a dead one. There are many to whom faith is simply the door to some esoteric life in heaven with no concept that the life they live here and now has a bearing on their heavenly inheritance. The faith spoken of in the New Covenant is one that produces a “now” life by which others may see the evidence of Him in a growing manifestation.
The “faith of Christ”
must produce expressions of the Life of Christ.
“the life which I now live in the flesh”
The life we currently live is the revelation of our faith. To measure our faith by any other metric is a deceptive standard and a false comfort.
“I will shew thee my faith by my works“
James 2:18
The word and call of God are always upwards and onwards. His Call is to produce desire, not condemnation. He would draw us from our own stagnation and complacency into a larger, active life of walking in His graces. The purpose of true ministry is to draw the people of God into their own participation (fellowship) of the Mystery experientially. May we hear afresh His exhortation to us to the larger apprehension of the Mystery…
“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ”
Ephesians 3:9
See Post: Be Enlarged
Link to the other writings in this series:
Elements of Faith – The Wonder
Elements of Faith – The Fire of God
Elements of Faith – Conversion
Elements of Faith – The Brands of Christ
(to be continued)
Brian Troxel
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
May Jesus keep us from all matter of bewitchment that our faith may be rooted in the Person of Jesus Christ and not a Jesus Christ of our own making. A seared concious will lead us into all temptation.
As usual, really appreciate you sharing.
Blessings
Appreciate the feedback – faith is the conduit of life.
Blessings to you and your family!
BT
Not sure about the cruciality of the article in Greek, but the rest of this blog is excellent.
Your blogs are excellent expositions of the Word.
❤️&🙏, c.a.
Thanks for stopping by. The “the” article in the Greek language has more significance than what it conveys in our English understanding. It is with that understanding that we recognize its import. A good illustration of this is in the Parable of the man looking for “goodly pearls” but when he found “the pearl of great price” he sold all that he had to acquire it. It is one thing to search for pearls it is another thing altogether to find “the pearl”.
Blessings
BT
As always Brian, you challenge me. It fits in with my personal time with the Lord this morning. The “now life” sure needs a drink sometimes. Living water, words of life and praying as he leads refresh.
Appreciate the words of encouragement. Hope all is well with you and your family.
Blessings
BT
Yes and Amen!
The “mystery revealed ” is Christ in us, the hope of glory. Exciting stuff.
Yes, it is exciting and thank you for the comment.
BT
“The difference between religious faith and true faith will be distinguished by the life lived.”
“It is this faith that Paul sets forth as a mystery. It cannot be held within the confines of doctrinal statements and the teachings of men. Its verity is obvious in the lives of those who know its fire and impulse. Religion rests in words while true faith is rooted in the life of Christ Himself.”
Amen. Some people can speak great words of wisdom, but their lives are an utter mess. Don’t give me mere words: show me your life–your life in Christ. When there is a Holy Fire burning in you–people around you already know it–you don’t have to tell them. A life lived by faith in God empowered by the Holy Ghost Fire is more powerful than any words spoken.
Patrick Henry once said, “Give me liberty or give me death.” The man of faith says, “Give me the Holy Ghost Fire or give me death.”
I Corinthians 4:20: “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.”
So good to hear from you brother. The fire of God is in the Holy Ghost and may we be filled with more of Him. May He shine from your life continually!
BT
Hey Brian:
I tried to send you an email, but the email was not delivered for some reason. Here is my email message:
I hope things are going well with you and your family. That was a great teaching you gave (“Elements of Faith – Mystery”, July 1st).
I have been off the road since January of 2020. I have been working at a restaurant in Ketchum, Idaho. Back in September of 2019, I was walking north of Ketchum near Baker Creek when this guy name Matt picked me up. He told me that he bought this restaurant in Ketchum and that he needed a dishwasher. So I worked as a dishwasher at his restaurant (it used to be called A Taste of Thai, now it is called Ida Thai–after we moved to a new location) from September till November of 2019. I then hit the road and hitchhiked around Idaho and Montana. I came back to Ketchum in January of 2020 and have been living and working at the restaurant since that time.
It is really great to be off the road. I was getting tired of hitchhiking all over the place. I am sure this is permanent. I believe that the Lord is preparing me for some new things in my life. I like working at the restaurant: it is a simple life, I have a room here at the restaurant where I live (which is a real blessing because Ketchum/Sun Valley is very expensive); I read a lot, listen to sermons and watch documentaries and I enjoy walking in the hills just east of where I live.
Take care.
Tim
I will follow up with you this evening… great to hear about your new situation.
BT
Brian:
Your email address (bt@aword.info) did not work. For future reference, you can use my email to reach me: sawman1960@live.com.
Tim