1 Timothy 3:14-15 -- Why the Bible? Why the church?

To catch up on our adventure through 1 Timothy, click here and read from the bottom post up.

1 Timothy 3:14-15 (NIV):

"Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, [15] if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth."

Paul is saying that he is writing Timothy these instructions in this letter (that we now call First Timothy) so that Timothy "will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household," that is, how Christians should act toward each other.

We always have to remember that the Bible speaks on several levels. It not only was God's Word to Timothy, but was also passed on to others around that time and was God's Word to them. Then it was passed down through about 2000 years of history up until this present time. It has been God's Word to everyone who has ever read it, including you right now!

So this letter of 1 Timothy was written for you and me today, here in the 21st century, to know how we ought to conduct ourselves as part of the body of Christ. And that body is "the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth."

Always remember that the Bible is God's love letter to you and to me today. It will never go out of date or become irrelevant or obsolete. It will always be God's Word to you for today, and for every day for the rest of your life. It is not a dead book, but is is living and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). God has something to say to you every single time you open up His Book.

One final word about the importance of the church. There's a lot of talk lately about the church becoming less and less important in our society and even among Christians. You will go through times in your life where you feel church has abandoned you or hurt you, and you think you just don't need the church. Don't believe it!

Paul says here that "God's household...is the church of the living God [and] the pillar and foundation of the truth." If you want to be a part of God's household, you will be a part of His church. And it also says that the church is the pillar of truth. The Bible and the church go hand in hand in imparting truth to your life and helping you grow as a Christian.

So, don't forsake the assembling of yourselves together (Hebrews 10:25). And don't let that Bible gather dust. Crack your Bible and get yourself to church and watch your faith grow.