Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
1 Timothy 3:16
3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
The Incarnation a Painful Process—
The work of redemption is called a mystery, and it is indeed the mystery by which everlasting righteousness is brought to all who believe. The race in consequence of sin was at enmity with God. Christ, at an infinite cost, by a painful process, mysterious to angels as well as to men, assumed humanity. Hiding His divinity, laying aside His glory, He was born a babe in Bethlehem. In human flesh He lived the law of God, that He might condemn sin in the flesh, and bear witness to heavenly intelligences that the law was ordained to life and to ensure the happiness, peace, and eternal good of all who obey. But the same infinite sacrifice that is life to those who believe is a testimony of condemnation to the disobedient, speaking death and not life (Manuscript 29, 1899). {7BC 915.3}
Great is the mystery of Godliness in the life of Christ. This mystery cannot be explained by the finite human mind. However, if you try to understand the mind of Christ Jesus with all humility, we can claim His promise that says, “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Christ gave up divinity for humanity that the world through Him might be saved. Christ needed to hide His glory by taking on humanity in order to reach men. Christ hates sin and suffered in the place of sinful men. This is the mystery to the angels of heaven, how could someone who hates sin have so much love and compassion towards those who committed the sins. Mystery also to the finite mind of men who have the privilege of being partakers in the divine nature. The incarnation of the Son of God is the greatest thing that has ever happened on this earth. God gave His Son to die for sinful human beings. He did that for you and he did it for me. This infinite sacrifice is life for all who believe, and sadly, death for those who do not. What must one do to be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
We come into Your presence in thanksgiving, praise, and prayer. We thank You and are eternally grateful for the sacrifice made of Your only begotten Son so that whoever believes on Him should not perish but have eternal life. Thank You for the incarnation of the Son of God, the most wonderful thing that has ever happened on this earth. Thank You for giving up divinity and taking on humanity to spend time with sinners that the world through You may be saved. Thank You for giving men the privilege of being partakers of the divine nature. This is the mystery to all. The whole universe belongs to You but You humbly came and suffered in all our afflictions. You did not even have a place to lay Your head. Thank You for voluntarily coming to accomplish the work of atonement. Thank You for redeeming humanity, being obedient even unto death. Thank You for being God in the flesh. We pray that if we follow in Your ways, as You have promised, that we will not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life. We pray for understanding as we study Your Word and the incarnation of Christ Jesus with all humility and a contrite heart. Let this mind be in us, which was also in Christ Jesus. We pray that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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