Scripture: Romans 16: 25-27 (NRSV)
DEVOTIONAL:
Those of us who live the North American lifestyle tend to live planned, non-mysterious and time-centric lives. Everything that matters can be easily explained and whatever cannot may be ignored or neglected. Often this even extends into our faith.
It is in the proclamation of Jesus Christ and his message in which Christians hold steadfast and find eternal salvation. Paul expresses this as the mystery that God revealed to the Gentiles, to bring about obedient faith in the one true God.
This is a solid foundation on which to build one’s faith.
God’s great mystery of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ has been revealed to us, though we must not become too comfortable in our faith. We cannot close our souls, minds and hearts to the Word of God, messages from the Holy Spirit, or to the many mysteries that yet surround us. We must find ways to engage the mystery of the natural world, or the mystery of purpose, the mystery of life, the mystery of why.
Prayer:
God, you have made known the great mystery to all: eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. Help us to live in the glory of Your revealed mystery. Let us take up an active, obedient faith as we engage and question the mysteries around us. Help us seek out the mysteries of Your world and our faith in You.
To the God of mysteries revealed and mysteries yet unknown be all the glory.
Mystery abounds around us.
Amen.
Scripture: Romans 16: 25-27 (NRSV)
Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.