SOME
THINGS HARD TO BE UNDERSTOOD!
Pastor J.
C. O’Hair
When the apostle
Peter, in II Peter 3:15 and 16, said that his beloved brother Paul had written
some things hard to be understood, Peter might well have added, “especially
Colossians 1:23 to 26”: and you and I would say “amen, brother Peter.” Surely
the truth in these verses comes under the heading of “strong meat for them of
full age (perfect)” (Hebrews 5:14), truth that will keep members of the Body of
Christ from being children tossed to and fro (Ephesians 4:14 . . . I
Corinthians 13:11 . . . Hebrews 5:12 and 13). For the understanding of such
truth, believers are to pray to the Father of Glory for the spirit of wisdom
and revelation, that the eyes of their understanding may be enlightened
(Ephesians 1:15 to 19). There is positively no other way to comprehend the
profound and glorious truth called “the MYSTERY OF GOD’S WILL” (Ephesians 1:9).
Let us carefully
and prayerfully consider Colossians 1:23 to 26, beginning with the “WHEREOF” in
Colossians 1:23: “WHEREOF I Paul am made a minister, who ‘NOW’ rejoice in my
sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of
Christ in my flesh for His Body’s sake, Which is the Church: ‘WHEREOF I am made
a minister, according to the ‘DISPENSATION OF GOD’ which is given to me for
you, to fulfil (fill up or complete) the Word of God . . . ‘THE MYSTERY’ which
hath been hid from ages and from generations, ‘BUT NOW’ is made ‘MANIFEST’ to
His saints. God was “NOW” manifesting His eternal “grace” purpose that His had
been HID. (Read I Corinthians 2:6 and 7).
In the next
verse (Colossians 1:27) we learn that this truth concerns Gentiles. It was
truth that had been “HID.” Where had it been “HID” and how long? It had been
“HID” in God, as God’s “SECRET,” “FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD.” (Ephesians
3:9). It had been “HID” from other generations before Paul’s generation and
from other ages before the age of grace, before the time that God was ready to
make known to, and through, Paul HIS “GRACE” MANIFESTO.
By way of
contrast we note in Acts 3:19 to 26, that what Peter and the Eleven were
preaching to and concerning Israel was “spoken by all the holy prophets “SINCE
THE WORLD BEGAN.” All of the prophets spoke of “THESE DAYS.” (Acts 3:24). I am
sure that you agree with me, that even a babe in Christ should know the
difference between Divine truth “spoken by all of God’s prophets SINCE THE
WORLD BEGAN” and Divine truth HID IN GOD FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, yea
from before that foundation. This unprophesied truth is called, in Ephesians
3:8, “THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST,” which was concerning the Gentiles.
This word “UNSEARCHABLE” is the same Greek word translated “PAST
FINDING OUT,” or “PAST TRACING OUT” ( Revised Edition), in Romans 11:33.
(A 10 Minute Video)
FINDING OUT,” or “PAST TRACING OUT” ( Revised Edition), in Romans 11:33.
How
God Saves Men
Believing
Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing
Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
ead
Acts 16L31 Romans 1:16, and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
(A 10 Minute Video)
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this BIBLE STUDY to all your friends
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