God has saved us and called us to live a holy life. This isn’t because of anything we’ve done, but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus even before time began.
Without question, true godliness comes from this great mystery: Jesus came as a human being, and he was declared right with God by the Holy Spirit. He was seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and taken up in glory.
Long ago God planned that Jesus would be handed over to you. With the help of those who didn’t know God’s law, and under the plan God spoke long ago, you put him to death by nailing him to a cross.
Brothers and sisters, here’s a mystery I want you to understand. It will keep you from being proud. Part of Israel has refused to obey God, and that will continue until the full number of Gentiles has entered God’s kingdom.
God wisely planned that the world wouldn’t be able to understand him through its own wisdom. Instead, God was happy to use the foolish things we preach to save those who believe.