You Are Called To Be A Part Of A Local Body of Believers

106 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 1Ti 3:14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 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. Paul is hoping for a personal visit with Timothy in the near future, but in the meantime he wants Timothy to keep himself busy or occupied with the things that he has written about in the preceding verses. That's the thrust of the word “conduct, ” it means “to busy oneself.” These things start with the admonition to guard against false teaching, and a reminder that the house of God is to be a house of prayer. Timothy should take care of this business, and further he is to busy himself with the matter of setting up the structure of church leadership, using the guidelines for bishops and deacons just set forth in the preceding verses. This is not to be taken lightly! The church is not just a building of mortar and bricks, rather it is a living organism of those who have been called out of the world by the gospel. Let us never forget, the Church is the Body of Christ and HE is the head! The local congregation (the house of God) is indeed the church of the living God, and it is foundational to the work of the Kingdom of heaven on earth. Is it perfect? Yes and no. It is perfect inasmuch as Christ is perfect, but it's imperfections show up in the fact that it is made up of sinners, and sinners don't always get it right. But don't let the imperfections of the saints keep you from connecting with a local body of believers! It is the pillar and ground of truth, and you and I are called to be a part of it! Timothy is to remember that fact as he busies himself with the business of planting churches. A church is described here as the house of God, and as with any house structure is needed. The materials used in a building must be of good quality. They must meet certain requirements, how much more then should the structure of the house of God be done in accordance with the stipulations found here in Timothy. Those who would plant churches would do well to pay attention to these words found in Timothy. Busy yourself with the prep work involved in planting, and when the materials have been properly assembled ….plant.