BEHAVIOR IN THE HOUSE OF GOD. 1st Timothy 3:15. Believers in an assembly are expected to behave in ways that reflect those who belong to and represent the person of the Living God and His dwelling place. This suggests that an assembly is a living, active body through which the living, active Lord teaches and maintains His truth in the world. The importance of truth is visible and supported by the firm foundation of God's word, which is not swayed by human opinions. Opposition may come from many directions and should be expected, but it does not alter the solid and unchangeable truth. God's people must be nourished with spiritual food, including bread [Mat.4:4], milk, meat [1Cor.3:1-2; Heb.5:12-14], and honey [Ps.119:103]. A church grows through nourishment, not simply addition. Order must be maintained, and discipline should be carried out in love [1Cor.5; 2Cor.2:6-11; 1Cor.4:8-21] to bring about the necessary behavioral change. Leaders must provide encouragement and serve as examples [1Thes.2:7-12], guiding believers and exemplifying godly conduct. The term “EKKLESIA” refers to political assemblies in Greek cities [Acts 19:29,32], but it is used around 100 times to describe gatherings of those called out to the Lord from the world. The conduct of bishops and deacons in the local church is important because leaders’ actions reflect on everyone in the group.
“House of God” elevates what seems ordinary by making it special. It’s not because of the building itself, or its location in a city or street, but because it is God’s house, not man’s. When we gather with the Lord’s people who meet regularly in the name of Jesus Christ, we form a fellowship of His children—His family. These are the ones we greet with joy, unity, and a feeling of belonging.
We are free in Christ from the dominion of sin, but not free to act in any way we please. An assembly gathered to Him is not just a disorderly group of people who come at their convenience and are not committed to their Lord, His word, and His people. Those who belong in the house of God are a called-out company of redeemed souls learning how truth draws a redeemed person and who desire the ongoing Christian education that lasts a lifetime.
Unruly behavior and disorder in a gathering of believers weaken the group's testimony in that area and diminish support for God’s truth revealed in His word. We have a great responsibility to live consistently so that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ remains unblemished and is not subject to criticism by those who are not believers.
Each person in the house of God represents everyone who gathers there and comes week by week to the gathering place; where Jesus is, that is our home. Tactful behavior is expected of those who gather in His name, and although conduct and practice may occasionally differ among individuals, the goal of all is the same. God has placed His name on people in the world, not on a building that is distinguished by its use. His name is in the fleshly bodies of those who do not isolate themselves or keep their distance from others, but on those who draw near to God in full assurance of faith. You’ll recognize them because they rejoice in the Lord and keep returning to the house of God for a fresh supply of fellowship and the grace that each shares with others by embracing the truth.
The pillars are structures of testimony raised that are easily seen by those who recognize that the word of God is the statement of faith that unites them. These are not trivial activities meant to attract a crowd or entertain, but the lives of people who live daily to glorify Him. The pillars in that place are the fundamentals of faith demonstrated through the lives of believers who are eager to do the will of the Lord, live in the joy of obedience to Him, and experience the freedom of practicing divine truth.
Practiced truth is built on the solid rock of faith, rooted deep in God’s Word. The practices in God's house are those that honor the Lord. The foundation of truth can never be altered; it is the will of our unchanging God, and our daily behavior in His house reflects the path of life our Savior walked when He was here on earth.
Many people think this house is very small. They compare it to buildings men make as a “house of worship.” But once inside, it is so large that there is room for each God-given gift to work effectively in that space. You can see to the highest heights where God dwells and seats us there with Christ in the heavenly places. He meets with His own who follow His Word, who are all one yet have different responsibilities.
There is no barrier, no thick-weaved veil, to keep us outside when we gather to worship and remember our Lord. We sing our praises to Him and call on our souls to bless His holy name. We are God’s house, by His own choosing, a dwelling place for Him with His people in a specific location. Week after week, members of His body meet here to worship and remember, teach and be taught, praise and testify, and be strengthened in the Lord and built up in our “most holy faith.”
Day by day, we are a living congregation, an organism, a body made up of one another, each part connected by God’s salvation. Our Lord Jesus Christ is our head, and each of us is a member who works in harmony with all the other parts of the body. The way we live and respond to God’s truth reflects well or poorly on each brother and sister. My words should always be meaningful, adding weight to the doctrines I believe. In God’s house, I will stay; here, I will do my part, mindful of the value of my words and actions. Looking back on the years of blessing from the beginning to this moment, I have been blessed by being in this house and by God’s grace. Here, I will stay with my Savior.