Man is made in God’s image, but when man fell into sin, this image was badly marred, though not totally lost. For man to be able to enter heaven, the image of God, the “godliness” (1 Tim 3:16) of God, in us must be restored. And God has devised a salvation plan for man. While it was kept hidden, it was a “mystery,” but in His own time, He revealed “the mystery of godliness” (1 Tim 3:16).

1.  Emmanuel. “God was manifest in the flesh” (1 Tim 3:16) means that God came down to be one of us, to be punished for our sins, and to die in our place. And “God with us” is “Emmanuel” (Matt 1:23). It was the Holy Spirit’s work that virgin Mary was with child (Luke 1:35), no seed of man was involved. Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb without sin. And this is the real message of Christmas.

2.  Justification. To be justified is to be made righteous in God’s sight. According to 1 Timothy 3:16 (“…justified in the Spirit…”), our justification is spiritual, not of any good works that we can do. Jesus came to be punished on our behalf. Thus, our sins can be paid for, and we can be righteous before God. No one can enter heaven if there is no spiritual justification.

1 Timothy 3:16 also says “seen” of angels. This means to look or stare without blinking, implying looking at something spectacular. The angels (including the demons) saw and recognised Jesus, that this manifestation of God as a man actually took place. It is not a myth. Thus, justification is possible. It is the only way for us sinners to get back God’s godliness in us. Though we will not lose this justification, we still sin when we are in the flesh. When we have sinned in our mind or heart, we must repent right there and then, and not let the sin be committed outwardly. That is why repentance is so important in every believer’s life. One day when we receive the glorified body, our inner and outer godliness will match perfectly, permanently and eternally.

3.  Believe. “Emmanuel” and “Justification” are part of “the mystery of godliness” revealed. “Believed on” (1 Tim 3:16) means we still must personally, and individually, believe in our heart that Jesus died on the cross in our place for all our sins which were committed against God Himself.

Once we believe, God’s “godliness” is restored in us. Although as Christians we still sin, our desire is not to sin. Our sensitivity to sin is heightened. This is the life of one who is born-again, who has regained God’s godliness. In future, when we receive the glorified body, we will be perfect and never sin again. It will also be a body that will never die.