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Mystery of the Incarnation, September 3
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was
manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the
Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
1 Timothy 3:16
.
Was the human nature of the Son of Mary changed into the divine nature of the
Son of God? No, the two natures were mysteriously blended in one person—the
Man Christ Jesus. In Him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. When
Christ was crucified, it was His human nature that died. Deity did not sink and
die; that would have been impossible. Christ, the Sinless One, will save every son
and daughter of Adam who accepts the salvation proffered them, consenting to
become the children of God. The Saviour has purchased the fallen race with His
own blood. This is a great mystery, a mystery that will not be fully, completely
understood in its greatness until the translation of the redeemed shall take place.
Then the power and greatness and efficacy of the gift of God to man will be
understood. But the enemy is determined that this gift shall be so mystified that it
will become as nothingness....
Who by searching can find out God to perfection? The Gospels set forth
the character of Christ as infinitely perfect. I wish I could speak of this so that
the whole world could hear the object of Christ’s mission and work. Read and
search the Scriptures, in which Christ is set forth as the divine object of our faith.
When finite man, under the subtle influence of the tempter, comes to question the
words of the One who is called “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The
everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (
Isaiah 9:6
), his conceptions of himself
increase, and his conceptions of Christ and God decrease....
The most gifted men on the earth could all find abundant employment, from
now until the judgment, for all their God-given powers in exalting the character
of Christ. But they would still fail to present Him as He is. The mysteries of
redemption, embracing Christ’s divine-human character, His incarnation, His
atonement for sin, could employ the pens and the highest mental powers of the
wisest men from now until Christ shall be revealed in the clouds of heaven in
power and great glory. But though these men should seek with all their power
to give a representation of Christ and His work, the representation would fall far
short of the reality....
The theme of redemption will employ the minds and tongues of the redeemed
through everlasting ages. The reflection of the glory of God will shine forth forever
and ever from the Saviour’s face.—
Lette 280, September 3, 1904
, to “Ministers,
Physicians, and Teachers.”
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