It Just Doesn’t Make Any Sense

“for the mystery of lawlessness is already at work” 2 Thessalonians 2:7

Mystery – Who knows where the word “mystery” came from?  You might find it amusing that the source of this word is itself a mystery.  The only thing that’s certain about its origin is this:  a mystery is something that must be kept silent.  No wonder we can’t figure out its background.

The Greek word, mysterion, played a large role in the secret religions of the ancient world.  Those religious cults claimed to have secret knowledge that only the initiated knew.  It was saving knowledge, the secrets of life.  Of course, every age has its version of these fantastic secrets.  All human beings would like to believe that if they only knew the secret, life would be wonderful, fulfilling and secure.  There is a mysterious appeal about secrets that we just can’t seem to resist.  Just count how many advertisements want you to buy the secret to success.

Paul tells us something about a real mystery: the mystery of lawlessness.  This mystery is very much alive and well.  We see it daily on the news.  People acting without regard for others.  People destroying God’s creation and community.  People damaging their own lives.  And we want to say, “It just doesn’t make any sense.  Why do they act like this?  It’s a mystery.”  Paul gives us the answer.  This mystery is revealed when we realize that sin is insanity.  The mystery of lawlessness is the insanity of actions that lead to permanent, spiritual death.  Why would anyone in his right mind make such choices?  The answer, of course, is that anyone who sins is not in his right mind.  He is in the mind of the mystery, the mind that speaks silence about its real purpose – to destroy the image of God in you.

It’s no accident that the power of sin is found in secrets.  The mystery of lawlessness is the silence it keeps about the true motives it has for you.  Where silence reigns, insanity dwells.  “The word of the Lord came to” is a formula phrase that breaks silence.  We worship and serve a God who speaks.  We are not the keepers of secrets but rather the bearers of good news.  There is a mystery in the gospel, to be sure, but it is this:  God has spoken in His Son Jesus and all other secrets are demolished.  Sin’s mystery keeps quite.  God’s mysteries make sounds.