DATE POSTED: Thursday, 2023-05-11
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

SCRIPTURE FROM: 1 Timothy 3:14-15
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible (AMP)

BIBLE TEXT: I hope to come to you before long, but I am writing these instructions to you in case I am delayed, so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

OBSERVATION: In our homes, we are raised with certain rules that we just fail to see the reason for, at times! In school, there’s more of the same, and also at work. There just seems to be an ongoing reason for rules, rules, rules! In starting out in ministry, Timothy needed lots of guidance and wisdom to continue leading the church in the order handed down from his ancestors. Paul offered guidance to Timothy, and the Holy Bible offers guidance to us today. Our meditation on the Scriptures today should help us better understand why we have rules.

APPLICATION: Until we understand the reasons for certain rules, it is challenging for us to change our worldly habits and follow the rules. I recently posted a devotional concerning the character expectations and integrity of a church leader. To the world, those rules from the Bible may seem unrealistic, and they may challenge believers on the reason for such rules. Sure, we can tell those questioning that it’s because God said so, but in our Scripture today we are actually told the reason for the rules and how it should be easy to understand the reason. It seems like whenever our government leadership thinks about changing certain national policies that might affect morale, they tend to ask leading church leaders for their opinion. Whenever an unbeliever walks into a church sanctuary, such as when attending a wedding or funeral, they tend to fall into place with everyone else in respecting the building as God’s place to meet with His people. From the understanding of today’s verses, it seems like Paul may have thought that questions may arise if Timothy instituted the rules he advised for the character and behavior of church leaders. So, Paul went on to explain the reasons why he wanted church leaders to be a special kind, or set apart, one who adheres to and respects the work of Christ in the local church. In some churches today, many of these rules are still in place, and here’s why: People will follow what their leaders say and do, and not so much what they demand in words alone. Church leaders will either teach, preach, or show by example that they represent a higher power – One who is above all mankind; One who has prepared a place for us to transition to when life here on earth is over; One who is perfect in every way, and has given His instructions for us to follow as we aim towards a life of perfection, like Him. Without observing the rules given by our Maker, we will instinctively follow the free reign of the evil one. Notice in the latter part of today’s Scripture, Paul reminded Timothy that the church belongs to, and should look like the church of the living God, for it is the pilar and foundation of the truth, and Jesus is the Truth, the Light and the Way. Friends, for those of you that sit in a congregation of church goers, we must all respect our leaders, but we must also keep them accountable – according to the rules and commands of God Almighty. For when they show us by example who it is that they worship, adore and serve, we will also be more apt to do the same. As a child, we played a game called ‘Follow the leader’. Perhaps it wasn’t a game after all, for we still do that at church, at work, and even at home. I believe the bottom line in what we should learn from this teaching today, is that each of us are called to ‘Follow the leader’. I must live in a way that my child will follow me and find that they are learning and following the ways of Jesus Christ. This will carry through in my workplace and in my church. Paul said that the church is the foundation of truth. I interpret that as saying that anytime one looks for an example of the Truth, they can look at the church. It only goes to say that the church must always be the church, or truth, God being our Guide and our Helper, so that others will not be misguided.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Representing our family heritage is one thing, but representing the holy Son of God is quite a challenge for us while living in the world with the opposition so prevalent. Praise God, we are children of the King!

PRAYER: Thank You Heavenly Father for Your mercies, and for Your commands and instruction, for without them, we would be deep in sin and living in the way of the evil one. Lord, some will go to church looking for love and for ideas to help improve their outlook on life. Some will search for a greater and higher being, but I pray that everyone that reads this devotional will find Jesus, the resurrected One the next time they go to church. The same One who provided salvation for all mankind from their sin and evil doing. Lord, please place it on our heart to pray for our church leaders, so that they may live in true and honest companionship with You, and in strict obedience to Your Word. Together we must be the church – Your truth, Your pilar and Your representatives that will lead the unsaved to Jesus. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!