1 TIMOTHY 3:14-16 HOLDING UP THE TRUTH
14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great:
He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
The Church as the family (household) of God and the presence of God (Body of Christ) in the world today, has a God-given mission. The manifestation of this mission varies widely from church to church, and in some cases even seems to be completely obscured by the local church. The mission, or identifying activity of the gathered community may be social justice, community action or foreign outreach. However, the test of faithfulness to God’s will is whether the activity fulfills the role of the Church as the pillar and foundation of the truth.
Although the Church is to be founded and anchored on the truth, it is also to be the foundation of the truth in the world. It is a fundamental role of the Church to serve as a bulwark against the shifting sands of human thought and a buttress against the winds of heresy and false teaching. In addition, the Church is to lift the truth high so that everyone can see it. The function of a pillar is to hold up. The truth is to be held up as a protection against false teaching, but it is also to be held up for the world to see.
Corporately and as individual believers it is our responsibility as members of Christ’s Body to stand against false teaching and proclaim the truth. Each of us is to accomplish this using the gifts we have been given in obedience to Christ, our Head. Regardless of the specific manifestations of our gifts, all are called to live lives that announce and demonstrate the direction and purpose of God in the world through Jesus Christ, which is the truth. We do this by living lives of radical integrity, unmitigated kindness, consequential generosity and God-ward obedience, while always being ready to share the reason behind our way of life.
Give me the strength through your Holy Spirit, O God, to stand firm before the winds of false teaching. May your Spirit remind me of the truth, help me to discern that which is false, and empower me to live a life that demonstrates the validity of the truth to the world. Make my church a strong bulwark and buttress for the truth. Amen.