People love solving mysteries. Hundreds of mystery novels exist, suspenseful movies are some of the highest rated by audiences and critics, and don’t most people spend their entire lives trying to solve life’s unanswerable mysteries? Why are we here? What’s my purpose? When will I get married? Etc… There’s just something about mystery that captivates the human mind. Curiosity, nosiness, desire, understanding. Whatever the case, it all revolves around mystery.
What about the mystery of the Bible? Where did it come from? Is it realistic? Historically accurate? Can I trust what it says? I’m not an expert on God’s word, considering it was written much before my time, but I have devoted time to studying its truths. There’s a section in Colossians, Chapter 1, that talks about God’s word as a mystery.
“The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints” (vs. 26).
Verse 27 goes on to say God chose to make known how great are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in us, the hope of glory. So, how about that? Here we have one of life’s greatest mysteries revealed to the saints and stored inside of them as hope for future glory. “But, wait, I’m not a saint,” says the skeptic. “And I don’t even know if what the bible says is true,” supplies the cynic.
1) You’d be surprised how little qualification there is to be considered a saint, at least according to Google. Google’s definition requires a saint be any person acknowledged as holy or virtuous. This is great news for those who find their identity in Christ Jesus, “since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:16). Also, “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Heb. 10:14). Those who have recognized Jesus as their savoir know they have already been made holy, virtuous, and perfect in their Father’s sight because of Christ’s sacrifice. But what about those that aren’t sure of their salvation? This is another issue entirely, and one that I’ve struggled with personally, a lot. Salvation is in God’s hands. It’s not by our works or anything we can do (Eph. 2:8-9). Resting and trusting in God, meeting with him and wrestling with your doubts is how you become sure of your salvation. When God chooses, you will be sure.
2) To the cynics who aren’t sure if the Bible is true. I wish I had concrete proof for you. I wish I had answers, because honestly, it’d help my own faith grow tremendously strong.But if we had answers, we wouldn’t need faith. Faith is what bridges that gap between the known and unknown. Charles Spurgeon, in his writings on Little Faith and Great Faith, censures little faith by describing it as “too eager for signs.” He continues to say, “Strong faith is content without signs, without tokens, without marvels! It believes God’s bare Word and asks for no confirming miracle. Its trust in Christ is such that it asks for no sign in the heavens above, or in the seas beneath.” Believing in the reliability of God’s word is another one of those graces shed on us by God himself. It’s in his timing and according to his will that we are made aware of his truths. Here are a few verses that help many believers rely on the truth of the Bible:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” – John 1:1-2
“The word of the Lord came to Samuel…” – 1 Samuel 15:10
“Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah…” – Isaiah 38:4
“The word of the Lord came to me…” – Ezekiel 6:1, 7:1, 11:14, 12:1, 12:17, 12:21, 12:26, 13:1, 14:2, 14:12, 15:1, 16:1, 17:1, 17:11, 18:1, 20:2, 20:45, 21:1, 21:8, 21:18, 22:17, 22:23, 23:1, 24:15, 25:1, 27:1, 28:1, 28:20, 30:1, 33:1, 33:23, 34:1, 35:1, 36:16, 37:15, 38:1
“Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.” – John 14:24
“The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever. And this word is the good news that was preached to you.” – 1 Peter 1:24-25
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Psalm 119:105
“But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” – John 5:47
“Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing…” – Colossians 1:5-6
If you want mystery, look no further than the Bible. The mystery of the gospel, of Jesus’ crucifixion, and of the Christian’s who dedicate their entire lives to sharing God’s word is enough to captivate anyone. The best part about the Bible’s mystery though, is that it’s already been solved. God’s glory was revealed, his ultimate grace was given, and our sin was obliterated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our eternal savior.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” – Romans 15: 13
