1st Timothy 3:15. “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” BEHAVIOR IN THE HOUSE. “House of God” takes what seems commonplace and sets it apart as unique. It is not because of the building that’s there, or in what city or street – But because it is God’s house, not that of men, and when we come together and meet – We are a fellowship of His own children – His family; these are the ones we greet.
We are free in Christ from the dominion of sin, but not free in any way to act, Because an assembly gathered to Him s not just some unruly pack Of people who come at their own wish and whim; not committed to ever come back – But are a called-out company of redeemed souls who are learning how truth attracts.
Each one is a representative of all who gather there and come Week by week to the gathering Center; where Jesus is, that is our home. There is tactful behavior that is expected of those who gather there in His name. Though conduct and practice in life of some may occasionally differ, the objective of all is the same.
This is where God has placed His name in the world; on people – not an edifice high. His name is in the fleshly bodies of those, not distant, but on those who draw nigh. You’ll know them by the fact they rejoice in the Lord and keep returning for fresh supply Of fellowship and the grace that each imparts to the others by those who the truth did buy.
There are pillars there; structures of testimony raised that are easily seen. These are not trivial activities to attract a crowd or used to entertain. But lives of people who live day by day with the purpose to glorify Him And the pillars are there of the fundamentals of faith lived out in lives so keen.
The foundation of truth is on the solid rock of faith based deep in God’s Word. And the practices in the house of God are those taught that honor the Lord. The ground of truth can never be changed; it is the will of our unchanging God. And our behavior in His house every day reflects on the path of life the Savior trod.
“Father God, we are going out among the people today to do business for Thee. I am asking Thee for a Christ-like spirit; for words that bring needed results without offending people; for there to be evidence in me that You are being represented appropriately by the behavior of this simple man. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
The house of God, the local assembly, is "the pillar and ground of the truth." A "pillar" is to hold up the top of a structure. The great temple of Diana had 127 pillars. In the scripture, it refers to the displaying of the truth of God; “holding forth the word of life.” [Phil.2:16]. "Ground" is the bulwark, the stays of fundamental biblical truth. An example of a basic biblical doctrine is here in the form of a hymn that was probably sung by the apostle and perhaps was learned by the believers in the assemblies. It is an affirmation of the Person and work of Christ; of His deity and humanity. Christ was manifest in the flesh: the birth and life of Christ were known and seen [Jn. 14:1-9]. Vindication in the Spirit; He was empowered by the Spirit [Rom.1:4]. He was seen by angels during His life and ministry, but more particularly after He went back to heaven. He is being preached unto the nations by those committed to carrying out the commission. "Believed on in the world" is the result of all the things that went before, and being received up into glory is a reference to His ascension [Acts 1:2,22].
1Timothy 3:15. “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” HOUSE OF GOD. To many eyes, this house seems very small, They compare it to buildings men make. But once inside, really, it is so tall – There is room for each gift in that space. You can see to the highest heights where God Himself dwells and seats us there in the heavenlies. Still, He meets with His own who follow His Word, All one, yet with varying responsibilities.
There is no barrier, no thick-weaved veil, To keep us outside when we worship. To Him we sing, we praise, and we call, For we are God’s house, by His own choosing. Week by week, the members come meeting here together. Day by day, we are a living congregation, An organism, a body composed of one another, Each is a part of the others by God’s salvation.
The conduct of life, my response to God’s truth, Reflects good or bad on each brother and sister. The words that I say should always have worth, Giving weight to the doctrines I adhere to. In God’s house I will stay, here I will do my part, Conscious of the value of my words and behavior. Looking back o’er the years from here to the start, In this house, I will stay with my Savior.
“By Thy unfailing grace and mercy, Father God, I am still in the house of God. Here I am able to participate with others, knowing there is a scriptural pattern. They too want to follow. We may not always do things right, Father, but we want to. When we fail or overlook something that Thou dost want, make that clear, please, so we can make the needed changes or correct the wrong. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
The affirmation given in this hymn is a confession and testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, in whose name we gather and under whose authority we actively pursue the objectives of the kingdom of God. The contrasts of our Lord's public life and ministry are given in this special form of a hymn. In the flesh, He was seen. He was justified by the unseen Spirit in His resurrection. He was seen by angels here on earth, when He ascended, and now where He is seated. He is heralded to the nations of men through words heard through those who take His Gospel. Those who respond to the Gospel, place their faith in Him and believe in Him even though they have not seen him. His ascension into heaven was visibly seen by those who watched Him rise from the Mount of Olives. His deity and humanity are clearly stated in this hymn Paul wrote under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was a man. He appeared in a body of flesh by means of His incarnation, in which He was able to be the exact substitute we needed. His birth and life on earth identify His righteous manhood openly. God was visibly present here as the Perfect Man among men. His deity was evident in His works that give proof to His divine nature. He created wine as His first miracle without the need for the normal seasonal process. He gave life to those who were dead because, as God, He had the keys of life and death. He was justified (vindicated) in the Spirit in His resurrection. There is no question as to the fact that God's power was in Him. Death for sin had no claim on Him. He is who He said He is, and this fact will be made evident when "every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Angels saw Him descend from His lofty place in heaven and come to earth. They saw Him while He was on earth, and He was ministered to by an angel. They awaited His beck and call. He could have called legions of angels to deliver Him. They also saw Him ascend into heaven in glory after His resurrection. In contrast to the heavenly sphere, His name and His Gospel are being heralded across the earth to all the nations of men, not just to the Jews. There is a glory not yet seen by men, as the Savior entered heaven with the results of accomplished redemption, adding a new dimension to His eternal glory. At the same time, as a result of the "Gospel of the glory of the blessed God" being preached in the world, millions have, and are, believing on Him. The testimony of an assembly like Ephesus and ours is maintained in a manner befitting the house of God. Through the testimony and order of God's people, Christ is revealed to those of each succeeding generation. Christ is the embodiment of everything that gratifies the heart of God. The purpose of mankind was to reveal God. “Image” means similitude. “Likeness” means representation. He was perfect as a man in terms of how to live and please God. His power is unlimited because, as God, He has "all power." Through Him, we can live as God intends and do His will in each activity of our lives. Through His power, we too will be raised from the dead and changed in the twinkling of an eye and caught up to meet Him in the air.