I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth. Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.
1 Timothy 3:14-16 NLTNow the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.
1 Timothy 4:1-5 NLT
The Bible says that the Church is the household of God and the pillar of the truth (3:15). The Church is not a building or institution, it is the people, the family of God. Yet Paul was fighting false teaching in the church in Ephesus. The Church is full of people who make mistakes – we don’t need to pretend problems won’t happen but deal with them in love, forgive each other, and move forward. The mistakes of people in the Church do not change God’s plan – Christians need to be connected to the Body of Christ. We don’t “shop” for a local church but commit to a local church family and work to build it up. We can leave a church because of false teaching, but we must always be part of a church. The predator hunts the ones isolated from the pack.
There are two ways we can stray from God: we can rebelliously sin, or we can be more obedient to rules than Jesus. Paul is warning us about the second style of sin, and it is one that is not talked about enough. These false teachers were much like the Pharisees, and they looked “spiritual” because they denied themselves of the good things God has given us to enjoy. They said sex, food, marriage, and even laughter were bad. This is not the Christian life; Jesus brings joy overflowing. Be on guard against this false teaching – it is not the way of God.
How can you enjoy the good things God has given you today? How can you be a strong member of a local church?
