The Eternal Transfer
Outsiders being transferred into the kingdom of God is the mystery of the ages, according to Paul in Colossians 1:13-29. Closing his letter to the Romans, Paul breaks into a doxology as he considers this mystery…
Romans 16:25–27 (ESV)
25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
In his letter to the Colossians Paul is again dwelling on this mystery that was hidden for so long even as the revelation of God was unfolding over the previous 1500 years. Paul wants the believers at Colossae to increase in their knowledge of God and he goes into a description of what God has accomplished in them. I suggest you read Colossians 1:13-29 now and then return to this preview.
As if it is not enough, God has not only transferred those of us who are trusting in Christ from darkness to the kingdom of his beloved Son, but he has given us his very Son who, through the agency of the Holy Spirit, dwells in every believer as our hope of glory. Christ is about reconciling heaven and earth unto God by the blood of the cross and it is not respective of our ancestry or our belonging to a certain group. The degree to which we perceive and embrace this union with Christ, in his death, determines our spiritual maturity and Paul labors to help us know Christ in us through the revelation of God. But what is God doing within us by this reconciliation? What is it that he is accomplishing within his people? What is he preparing us for?
In this message Dr. Paul Kelly focused on verses 13-22 and delivered the good news of this eternal transfer.