Household of God

1 Tim. 3:14-15

I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 

Paul had finished listing the requirements for the overseers and their wives. Any who met the criteria could be considered for leadership in the church. If chosen, these people would be examples in their walk with God and instrumental in the spiritual growth of the church. Simply put, we need to know how to behave in the household of God. Our lives have been transformed, and like a snake we are shedding our old skin [life, deeds, flesh] and living in the new. But still there were questions that the people had. So Paul laid it out clearly.

But what I really like is the description of the church. Normally, I think of my church as my local body of Christ, but here Paul first calls it the household of God. A household speaks of family, the place where a certain set of people live. In this case it is the people of God. So cool!  He also called it the church of the living God. To me, this sounds somewhat ominous. Having read the OT, it reminds me of holiness,judgment, and of a God who is always aware of everyone of His children. The living God is no religion or list of rules. He is the God that I have a personal relationship with. Finally, he called the truth a pillar and buttress of truth. A pillar makes me think of something that support, like a foundation. The church is that body that facilitates growth. A buttress is a structure built against a wall for support. So any way you look at it the church is the believer's support. It is that which becomes foundational for Christian growth. It is the Truth.  It is wonderful to think that I am part of the body of Christ, the household of God, the church of the living God, and the pillar and buttress of truth. Wow!

Father,

Thank You for making me part of Your church, for saving me, and giving me a home with my brothers and sisters in the Lord.

In Jesus name,

Amen