But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
1 Timothy 3:15
The house of God is the pillar and ground of truth, and it represents the glory of God on earth. The very foundations of truth are upheld in the house of God, just as pillars uphold a structure as load bearing beams. We the church of the living God are bearers of truth. Why then did Paul deem it necessary to remind Timothy of how he ought to conduct himself in the house of God?
As a young minister, Timothy was impressionable and Paul knew that he (Timothy) must maintain a witness that was above reproach. He was despised because of his youth at times, and his father was a Gentile which meant that he had to overcome bias in his ministry. To further complicate things, he was exposed to gossip, self righteousness and many other ungodly deeds that could ensnare him. This has been and always will be the case in the house of God. Hear the word of the LORD in 2 Timothy 2:20-22; But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Conduct in the house of God requires cleansing of ourselves, sanctification and preparation for every good work. There are also things we must flee (flee is a verb which illustrates the act of running away, like Joseph fled from Potiphar’s wife in Genesis 39:11-12). Then we must pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace with those in the house of God who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. In the house of God we don’t just flee, we pursue the things of God, as we run away from worldly lusts.
Paul knew that if Timothy was unaware of how to behave in the house of God, that he was susceptible to fall prey to the impulses of vessels of dishonor in the house. It is the will of God that we remain vigilant in cleansing ourselves, so that we can be an example to other believers. Instruction is offered in both words and deeds in the house of God. In 1 Timothy 4:12-13 Paul instructs young Timothy in this way — Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
I encourage you to be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity; until we all become vessels of honor. So that we give each other constant reminders of how we ought to conduct ourselves in the house of God which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Maranatha
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