majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him in 1 Timothy 3:14-15,
"Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these
instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought
to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the
living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth."
Paul provides instructions to Timothy regarding the selection of
individuals to serve in various capacities within the local church. He
has also provided instructions on the worship of God and the need for
prayer. In his call for prayer he points to the transcendent love of
God, "who wants all me to be saved and come to a knowledge of the
truth."
As Paul provides these instructions, he says he does so that the folks
will know how to "conduct themselves in God's household". What Paul
says about this household is what fascinates me this morning. As I
think of my own household, it is what I make of it. As Paul calls the
church "God's household" I am reminded that the church is what God
makes of it. What he has made of it is "the pillar and foundation of
the truth."
In a fascinating participation with redeemed men, God has chosen to
build his church with those who respond to the gospel message, and
since the earliest of days, there have been others who have tried to
make something else of it. I think of those who attempted to bring
law-keeping into the Galatian churches and the false teachers that
John spoke of in his first letter. Many other examples can be cited of
attempted perversions of the church by those who would lead the church
astray.
While it has been easy to be critical (and rightfully so) of these
attempts to pervert God's church, the church is nevertheless his
household and what he makes of it. What he has made of it is "the
pillar and foundation of the truth." It is from within the true church
that the gospel message goes out to the world. It is from within the
true church that the Scriptures have been preserved and taught. It is
from within the true church that the Lord has raised up those who
teach, those who preach, those who evangelize, those who bring the
rest of us to a point of maturity that we be equipped and enabled to
carry on what God is doing in and through his household.
What a magnificent household this is! What a magnificent Lord who has
made the church what she is!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd
love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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