Our Ministry and Our Conduct in the House of God

Our Ministry and Our Conduct in the House of God

“These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 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. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, receive up in glory.” 1 Tim. 3:14-16.

When we speak about learning how to conduct ourselves in the house of God, it is in the context of how well one understands the mystery of godliness. This is not something to which you can study yourself; it is something that the Spirit has to reveal to you. As natural human beings we are inclined to assume a form that was delivered to us by godfearing people who have lived before us. Many people have done this. They continue to preach this form as if the form itself were the way to a holy and godfearing life. “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing . . . .” 1 Tim. 6:3-4.

The doctrine of Christ is about Him who was manifested in the flesh. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Phil. 2:5-8. After Jesus did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, He was willing to be born as a human being and consecrate a new and living way back to God as the Root of Jesse. By His faithfulness the life of God was revealed in a human being to such a degree that He could say, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” John 14:9.

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit . . . .” 1 Pet 3:18. The result of this battle and this suffering was that He became the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His person, upholding all things by the word of His power. Heb. 1:3.

“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil . . . .” Heb. 2:14. For Jesus it was a matter of life and death not to be contaminated by the flesh of David that He bore. Therefore He fought and struggled to the very end. His work will be richly rewarded. Through His struggle and effort He gained brothers and sisters who have also entered the same race of sanctification and being conformed to the image of the Son. These are people who have been made alive in their spirit. They have not settled down in a religious or Pharisaic mold. They are apprehended of being conformed to their Master. Jesus Himself rejoices to present them to His heavenly Father. “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all thins and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: ‘I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the congregation I will sing praise to You.’ And again: ‘I will put My trust in Him.’ And again: ‘Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.’” Heb. 2:10-13.

Let us not reduce the life of our great High Priest to laws and regulations from times past, characterized by and conformed to human tendencies and inclinations. It is the Spirit of revelation in fellowship with the life-giving force that is in God that results in light and life for the churches’ growth and development.

Strong human opinions—usually bound up with outward things—have never furthered anything of spiritual value in the church of the living God. Everyone who wants to have a part in building the church has to enter the world of the Spirit and not get hung up in laws and letters that can be easily distorted. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:6-8. Such people are servants of the Spirit. They don’t get hung up in forms and customs, letters, and regulations. They are willing to be led by the Spirit, and by their life and quickened spirit they will have a liberating effect that will release many souls who have been deceived by the accuser.

Even Jesus had to humble Himself in order to go this way. The way on which the Spirit led Him cost Him His self-life. If He was to make a way back to the Father and become an atonement and a compassionate High Priest for us, He had to go the way on which He encountered vehement cries and tears in His life. “Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” Heb. 5:7-9. On this way He increased in wisdom and stature, and grew in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52. He is our model, our forerunner, and our great example!

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb. 4:14-16.

Such boldness in Christ leads to a blessed conduct in God’s house—a conduct and a life that is anointed with the same oil of gladness with which God anointed Jesus, our Brother! Heb. 1:9.