Our Position in Christ – Mysteries Made Known – Part 6

“having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself.” (Eph 1:6)

We are continuing our series on Our Position in Christ. Today we will see that the mysteries (secrets that were previously hidden) have now been revealed to the church.

Paul starts of the statement with very strong wording. “Having made known to us the mystery.” There is no questioning here. It is settled fact that the mysteries have been made know to us. But let’s take a look at the Greek word that make up “made known.” It is gnōrizō = “to become known, be recognized.” The word carries the idea of someone disclosing information to another – the revealing of an otherwise unknown truth.”

In this context God has made the mysteries of God recognizable to us. We can even say He has declared them to us. Take note that this word indicates that the One with the mystery (God) is the one initiating. Take the Apostle Paul. God initiated the mysteries, starting with his experience of becoming blind. Then God unraveled the mystery of the gospel of salvation and many other things. We can take great comfort that God is the one who initiates.

“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:5)

Jesus said to the disciples and He says it to us. A friend is one who shares intimate secrets. How wonderful is this: “for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” Here we see this same strong wording “I have made known to you.” Are you beginning to see that God wants us to have confidence that He has revealed His secrets to us?

If you are still a little unsure see this verse. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us by God.” (1 Cor 2:12)

We have received the Holy Spirit so that we “might know the things that are freely given to us by God.” The truth is that He has already given us all the mysteries of His kingdom. The Holy Spirit’s job is to come along side us make them “know” to us. Take note that the verse says that we “might” know them. This reveals there is a possibility for us to know or not know them. Some mysteries, like hidden treasure, require some digging. This digging is led by the Holy Spirit of course.

We see this point of digging, if you will, in the following passage. Jesus had risen from the dead and was walking on the road to Emmaus. Two men were taking the 7 mile journey to Jerusalem.

“So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.” (Luke 24:15)

Two important things to note here. 1. Jesus is the one iniating and 2. There eyes were restrained from knowing who Jesus was. We’ll see the importance of that later.

Then Jesus asked the men what they were talking about. They said they were talking about Jesus. Jesus acted as if He had no idea who this Jesus was or the amazing miracles, much to their astonishment. Then we see this:

“And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (v.27)

What an incredible 7 miles that must have been! Then Jesus does something fascinating and gives us a good lesson on receiving the mysteries of the kingdom.

“Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther.” (v.28) He “indicated” He would have gone father. Was Jesus playing games with them? No, He was testing them to see how hungry they were for truth. They had already received much but oh there was much, much more to know.

“But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.” (v.29) They constrained Him! They physically held Him back. Wow! And I know for a fact that Jesus loved every second of it. But wait, see the beautiful end to this story.

“Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, ‘Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?‘” (vv.30-32)

On the road they learned much about Jesus. At the table they came to know Jesus personally. It was at the breaking of bread. I believe this is another key to understanding the mysteries the kingdom – taking communion often.

Tongues and the mysteries of God

One way to know the mysteries of God is through speaking in tongues. I am talking about our personal prayer/worship language, not the tongue that is to be interpreted.

“For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” (1Co 14:2)

When we speak in tongues we speak mysteries. Amazing! If you do not yet have this wonderful gift I suggest you reach out to someone you know who is spiritual in your church, maybe the person who leads the prayer meeting. I use this gift every single day and it is a highly valuable gift.

Fellowship of the mystery

“and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ.” (Eph 3:9)

It is interesting that Paul used the word “fellowship” regarding the mystery. Some may see the mysteries of God as mere knowledge to be uncovered. But Paul contends that there is a fellowship with the mystery. In other words there is an intimate exchange, a back and forth. A part of me, not just me intellect, engages with the mysteries of God. We recognize that from the road to Emmaus account. The disciples eyes were opened up after the breaking of bread during fellowship. There is noting more personal and intimate than what Jesus did for us at Calvary.

So, you can (and should) ask God for intimate dreams, visions and the like. Give all of yourself to knowing and fellowshipping with God in the mysteries of God.