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 4 of 13

PREEMINENTLY A CUSTODIAN
     The church is preeminently a custodian of the truth of God! Its primary purpose is not to change society, as badly as it needs changing! Political activists are not to be despised, but neither are they to be given the chief seats. They are not in the heart of divine purpose! The body of Christ must see that such activity is NOT the fundamental thing! Just doing a lot of "things" is not adequate. Being involved in many different activities may keep the people of God busy--but that is not their main function! Their primary role relates to the truth of God--the Gospel of the Lord  Jesus Christ. A custodian is a suitable vehicle and container of truth.

     To influence people is important, but not most important! The most significant matter is protecting and proclaiming the truth. If Pharaoh does not believe Moses,  the man of God must speak anyway! If Nebuchadnezzar shrinks back at the word of Daniel, he must still declare it. If Herod recoils at the sharp words of John the Baptist, they must still be spoken! If the Sanhedrin does not concur with the words of Stephen, he must send them into their ears anyway! It is the truth that  must be held forth, for it is the appointed means of affecting the purpose of God.

Truth Can Be Suppressed
          Keep in mind, our conduct can hold back the truth. As it is written, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness" (Rom 1:18, NIV). The modern tendency to be tolerant of wicked people is a reproach to God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Truth suffers, particularly when those publicly aligned with it fall into sin. We are for the restoration of religious leaders that have dabbled with sin and fallen, but we are more for retaining the truth. Mark it well, I do not  encourage an impatient and unforgiving attitude toward those who have fallen. Our hearts, however, must be dominated by a fervent love for the truth of God. We are custodians of a precious commodity that announces salvation, produces the new birth, and sustains the soul. If the truth is not guarded and maintained, it directly impacts all of those essentials.

     Suffice it to say, a church that is not laboring together with God has no real purpose (1 Cor 1:9; 3:9). It is just filling up space. Those who do not work together WITH God are, by that very condition, aligned against Him. They are obstacles to men, making it more difficult for them to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the Name of Your Beloved Son, I seek for grace and strength to be an ornament to the truth, and a vessel in which it can travel without hindrance.

--TOMORROW: THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS --