1 Timothy 3:14-16

1 Timothy 3:14-16  Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 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.  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.

1 Peter 2:1-5  Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.  As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  

The church, the body of Christ, is the pillar and foundation of the truth.  Jesus said, “I am the way and the TRUTH and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  (John 14:6)  Jesus Christ is the truth, and the Holy Spirit has come to reveal this truth to mankind.  The Holy Spirit resides in every Christian, and therefore in the corporate body of Christ.  The mystery of Jesus Christ, who is truth and godliness, is found in the church and revealed to the world through each member.  The church's valid testimony is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he came in body, was validated by the Holy Spirit, seen by angels, preached among nations, believed by many, resurrected from the dead, and taken to heaven.  With this explicit understanding and confession, Christians should conduct themselves in an upright and holy manner, revealing the true nature of God, not their own flesh.  Through Christ's power at work in us, we should rid ourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.  

As faithful followers of Christ, we should grow up in our salvation, knowing that the Lord is good and worthy to be followed.  We are like precious living stones being built into a spiritual house.  We are holy priests unto God our Father, offering our earthly lives to him as spiritual sacrifices prepared by our Lord Jesus Christ for the glory of God.  Each of our lives possesses a translucent quality such as a precious gem, reflecting a unique hue.  When placed together, these precious stones, our lives, reflect a kaleidoscope of colors, all for the glory of God.  The church stands as this beautiful, living structure, and within this body of believers lies all the knowledge needed to discover the beauty of God.  We, the church, carry this image of God to a dying world.  We alone hold the truth of existence.  

Therefore, Paul reminds Timothy how people ought to conduct themselves in the world; he reminds him that the church should reflect God in a chaotic world of unbelief and sin.  For sure, if salt has lost its savor, what good is it?  If we have lost our testimony, our Christian characteristics, what good are we?  Rather, our purpose for living should be to reflect God's goodness, his beauty, his salvation plan.  If we do so, we will be good and faithful servants of the Most High, members of God's household, which is the church of the living God.