Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Paul gives us an over arching purpose for the church corporately in 1 Tim. 3:15, as stated: being the pillar and support of the truth. I believe it is also clear from the text what Paul has in mind when he mentions truth. He is narrowing the range down to truth about God which would include the specifics about Jesus Christ and the Gospel. Thankfully, we are not responsible for reconciling Newtonian physics with general relativity.
Another passage I believe we need to connect with is John 4:23-24 But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Speaking to the Samaritan woman Jesus issues a command (v. 24) that applies to all of us. The worship of God requires two elements: a spiritual connection and truth. The connective word "and" sets a condition that must be met in order for worship to take place. If either spirit or truth are absent then worship of the Father is not taking place.
So, now we have two concerns. Our purpose and our relationship with God revolve around this thing called truth moving it to a high priority for us both corporately and individually. I believe this is one reason we are instructed in 1 Timothy 2:15 to become craftsmen at handling God's Word.
So, each of us have a question to deal with. What does our Lord mean by "spirit" and what is meant by "truth?"
Another passage I believe we need to connect with is John 4:23-24 But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Speaking to the Samaritan woman Jesus issues a command (v. 24) that applies to all of us. The worship of God requires two elements: a spiritual connection and truth. The connective word "and" sets a condition that must be met in order for worship to take place. If either spirit or truth are absent then worship of the Father is not taking place.
So, now we have two concerns. Our purpose and our relationship with God revolve around this thing called truth moving it to a high priority for us both corporately and individually. I believe this is one reason we are instructed in 1 Timothy 2:15 to become craftsmen at handling God's Word.
So, each of us have a question to deal with. What does our Lord mean by "spirit" and what is meant by "truth?"
