Revealing the Mystery of Christ: The Power of Knowing God

In this post I emphasize the revelation of the mystery of Christ and the importance of knowing God. I underscore the pursuit of intimate knowledge of God’s power and will. This pursuit aids in seeking spiritual growth. It also provides a deeper understanding of God’s mysteries.

How many of us really know the God whom we worship?

The true knowledge of God lies at the foundation of the revelation of the mystery of Christ. The mystery, revealed in the Bible, is described in several ways. These include the mystery of God (Col. 2:2; Rev.10:7) and the mystery of His will (Ephesians 1:9). It also includes the mystery of Christ (Eph. 3:4; Col. 4:3). Additionally, there is the mystery of the kingdom of God (Mark 4:11) and the mystery of the gospel (Eph. 6:19). When speaking of the mystery Apostle Paul did not use enticing words. He taught from a deep wisdom of God to those who were more mature in faith. Unfortunately, there were few of these in Corinth. Much like today, these people had their eyes on human leaders, and were failing to grow in the Word. “But we speak God’s wisdom, a hidden mystery, which God decreed before the ages for our glory” (1 Cor. 2:7). Paul, as a servant in Christ and steward of the mystery, explains the plan. His speaking of God’s wisdom proceeded by explaining certain truths only to those who were trained. He did not explain it to all. The mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to Christ’s saints. (1 Cor. 4:1; Col. 1:26).

Our foundational passage for understanding why we are to pursue knowing God intimately is Jeremiah 9:23-24. In this passage, we read, Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom. Let not the mighty man boast of his might. Let not a rich man boast of his riches. But let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me.”

Knowing and experiencing God’s power ought to be your life’s greatest pursuit and highest aim. Knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection was a major goal for Apostle Paul. Philippians 3:10 reads, “to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death.” Paul was religious before he was saved, but religion was not save him. He had to lose his religion to learn his destiny and purpose and find eternal life in Christ. He begins this chapter by warning believers against religion apart from Christ.

Knowing someone—even knowing God—involves much more than simple knowledge. It involves a connection so authentic and real that it gives birth to a synchronicity and cadence established as a natural outgrowth of the relationship itself.

Pastor Tony Evans

I grew up in the Baptist church tradition. Still, I knew so little about God, His character, His nature, and attributes. Most of all, I understood so little about His depth of love for humanity. I had a personal family need. I became involved in a deliverance ministry that focused on recovery from addiction by strictly teaching the word of God. Only then did I start to “hunger and thirst for righteousness.” The knowledge of God became an all-consuming passion. My soul longed for him in a dry and thirsty land (Ps. 84:2). I immersed myself in the word of God day and night. I didn’t know my true identity. It was hidden in Christ. I discovered it by sacrificing my time and energy getting to know Him and the power of His resurrection.

Jesus said “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matt. 5:6). Hunger is the strongest of motives. A person who is really hungry will do almost anything to get food. Their life depends on it. That was thirty odd years ago. I can’t over emphasize the importance of knowing God. I see the divisiveness now destroying America’s foundation. It is also harming our democracy. Psalm 11:3 reads, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

Let’s look at several Scriptures that reveal the importance of knowing and understanding the mystery that has been hidden for ages, and is being revealed to those who want a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him:

• “He changes times and seasons, deposes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with him (Dan. 2:21–22).
• “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! (Rom. 11:33).
• “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” (Hosea 4:6)
• “So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” (Col. 1:10)
• “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Prov 1:7).
• James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (Jam. 1:5)
• “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” (Prov. 9:10)

The pressing need for the Church today is wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God (Eph. 1:17). God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4). Along with the knowledge of God we need wisdom, the principle thing. And let’s not forget discipline. Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. (Prov. 12:1). The beginning of wisdom is this: get wisdom, and whatever else you get, get insight (Prov. 4:7). One of the many blessings enumerated in Ephesians 1 is that God has abundantly shared with us wisdom. He has also shared prudence. He has revealed the mystery (or the secret) of His will to us. This means His secret purpose (vs 8,9). The measure of this blessing is declared to be “according to His good pleasure.” This is what He hath purposed in Himself (vs 9, 10). This knowledge of God is to be obtained, not by reasoning. It comes by revelation. It is not acquired by intellectual attainment. It is given by God’s free gift of grace.

It is my prayer that these posts will encourage you to seek and get to know God more intimately. In these challenging times, we can strive to be “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.“

May the grace of God continue to abound to you more and more …

Note: All Scripture quotations are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE) unless otherwise noted.

Minister A. Francine Green is an ordained minister and the author of Daughter of the King: Possessing Your Spiritual Inheritance .