THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS
"I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the
household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and
support of the truth. And by common confession (beyond all question, NIV;
without controversy, KJV) GREAT IS THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Beheld by angels,
Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory"
(1 Timothy 3:15-16).

Devotion 2 of 13

BEHAVING OURSELVES
Holy Behavior
        Godly behavior in the house of God, which is the church of the living God,  "adorns the doctrine" (Tit 2:10). It enhances the glorious message for which the church is responsible. Unholy behavior neutralizes the power of the truth, holding back, or inhibiting, the spread of righteousness (Rom 1:18). If men do not know "how to behave," it has a direct bearing upon the effectiveness of the truth of God. In the Kingdom of God, truth is everything! We are  saved through our "love of the truth" (2 Thess 2:10). The knowledge of the truth liberates the soul (John 8:32). Truth sanctifies the soul, giving it Divine utility (John 17:17,19). Jesus Himself is the embodiment of the truth (John 14:6), and the Gospel is the articulation of that Truth--the "Word of truth" (Eph 1:13; James 1:18).  it is no wonder the man of God is concerned about the conduct of Timothy in the "pillar and ground of the truth." It is unfortunate that we live in a time when the value of the truth of God is scarcely known.

       The Apostle does not challenge Timothy concerning his conduct before the ungodly. That matter is addressed elsewhere (1 Tim 6:11; 1 Pet 3:15-16), but it is not the concern here. It is his conduct WITHIN the body of Christ that is the point--his behavior "in the house of God." God's household has a manner, or way about it. It may not be fashionable to talk about it, but it is imperative that we do so.  

       Those in Christ Jesus are being oriented for eternity. This world is a distraction to their faith, and thus they are not to be conformed to it (Rom 12:1-2).  when it comes to living by faith, the world is a hostile realm. Those who live by faith know "the fashion of this world passes away" (1 Cor 7:19). Therefore, they cannot afford to become attached to it. The perception of this elementary truth will  revolutionize individual conduct. Faith uproots us from the world, making us gloriously compatible with "the world to come." 

In View of the Truth
      Life in God's house is conducted in view of the Truth! It involves conduct, but primarily PROVIDES a basis and power for that conduct. The truth is the preeminent thing, not conduct! This in no way minimizes the matter of living godly in an ungodly word. It does provide a means for this to be accomplished. Those who have embraced the truth find it dominates their vision. Their perspective is altered by the truth, and  that is why they live uprightly. You cannot live righteously by rote--without the involvement of your heart. It may appear that uprightness has been achieved by those adhering to mere disciplinary procedures, but it has not.

     The knowledgeable custodianship of redemptive truth constrains proper behavior. Those who "walk in the light as He is in the light" (1 John 1:7) are empowered to live in harmony with the truth--that is proper behavior. This is another view of grace teaching us how to live in a condemned realm. As it is  written, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age" (Tit 2:11-12). This instruction enables believers to  know how to behave themselves in the house of God. In my  judgment, there is a general avoidance of this privilege in the professed church.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Christ Jesus, I plead for grace to conduct myself in your church so as to produce joy in Your heart. You have made my heart glad, and I desire for You to be pleased with me.

-- TOMORROW: JESUS IS BEING UPSTAGED! --