Photo by Olav Ahrens Røtne on Unsplash
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Mysteries, riddles, puzzles – many love the challenge of solving a good conundrum. And once we’ve solved it, it’s hard not to share it with others! I remember getting a set of metal wire puzzles where two pieces of metal wire are twisted together. The puzzle – how to easily separate them. In my day it was trial and error. Today, you can do that (it’s more fun I think), but you can also go to YouTube, search on metal wire puzzles, and someone’s there who can’t wait to share the solution with you! God created us with inquisitive minds, which is why many like a good puzzle or mystery.
Another mystery people pursue – eternal happiness and life. As the new year rolls in, there are plenty of gizmos and gadgets trying to help people solve this mystery. But, in the end, there’s only one solution to this timeless problem. God, our creator, has shed His light on the solution through His messengers and Son, Jesus Christ. The solution isn’t a gizmo or gadget. St. Paul, one of God’s messengers, received the solution in a blinding flash of light – God revealed to Paul the solution to this mystery as he traveled to Damascus (Acts 9). Then Paul, compelled by the Holy Spirit, began to share the mystery with others, including the Gentiles – people who lived apart from God, without His promise of eternal happiness and life with Him.
The solution to the mystery – Jesus Christ. Paul tells us God chose Him to “to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things … according to the eternal purpose that He has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:9-11). And what’s more, today God calls us, who have access to this same mystery, to boldly share it with others. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are heirs to God’s promise of forgiveness and eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus our Lord! So, let’s share with everyone!
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Jim