1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God… But what does it mean when it is said so expressly, "the Church of the Living God"? Is it in contrast to the temples of the heathen, whose gods are dead, and cannot hear, or speak, or see. Or does it mean more expressly that it is "the Church of God" who is "living" to keep, guide, bless, and give life to His people; and, therefore, because it is "the Church of the Living God," it can never die. It may be changed, but it cannot die. Christ lives, and we are all members of Christ. Living members of a Living Head; and from that Head life is ever flowing down into the body. Therefore, "the Church" in Him cannot help being "a living Church." And we are "the temple of the Holy Ghost who liveth in us." But this is only a part of what it means. It must, like its great Author, if it is a Living Church, show signs of life. Now, what are the evidences of life? Let us take the analogy of the human life. 1. To make human life there must be the breath. Every one who lives must, of necessity, breaths. So it is with "the Church," and with every member of the Church. There is a breath. The Holy Spirit is the breath. We must breathe that breath of the Spirit; and thus breathe warm thoughts, loving thoughts, happy thoughts, holy thoughts. 2. But the breath requires feeding with words which look and express this inward feeling. Words of praise, words of prayer, words of glory, words of power. Can there be life without expression? If it be not in speech, will it not be by some other way? 3. And can it go on without growth? If the man be a man of God, and if the Church be "the Church of the Living God," there must be growth. The man's soul must grow. All the fruits of the Spirit must grow in him. It is equally the consequence and sign of life. A Church which does not grow may doubt whether it is a Church at all! 4. And with the growth and the breathing will come action! Action in accordance with the principle which is working within us. 5. There must be expansion. It is the principle of all true religion, and of every Church. (J. Vaughan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. |
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