House Rules

Scripture:Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 1-6

14 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. (1 Timothy 3:14-15)

6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. (1 Timothy 4:6)

Observation:

You've become a Christian.  You heard the gospel, you said the prayer and you are now a member of God's family... now what?  Adoption into a new family means that there are new rules to learn.  Every family has them, even God's.

I love that we aren't left to ourselves to figure it out.  He first sent His son, to teach us and show us... then sent the Holy Spirit to live inside us and direct us from within.  The bible says that The Spirit searches out the deep things of God (1 Cor. 2:10).   But He doesn't stop there, he also provided us with his Word, and books with in it like the one we read today to teach us.

There is a movement within the church to tolerate all kinds of behavior that directly opposes scripture and these "family rules".    Let's face it, living a Godly life in today's culture is very unpopular.  We don't want to offend, exclude, or prohibit people from coming into the family, nor do we want to seem as though we are narrow-minded or exclusive.  And tragically, this compromises our fellowship with Him when we pick and choose which parts of His Word we are willing to acknowledge and live.

Application:

My challenge to you is to look at the book Paul wrote to Timothy, imagine it was written today... to you.  What sections do you find the most challenging?  What parts resonate and encourage you?  It might feel overwhelming to think of  these standards in your common every day experience,  and you may feel like you don't measure up.

But let me encourage you to trust that the God who saved you, who has a plan and a purpose, has reasons for the rules he sets up.  The Holy Spirit who lives inside of you and searches out the deeper things will teach you, will be your guide as you navigate the transformation of your salvation. (Philippians 2:12-13). 

 Trust Him.

Prayer:

Lord I think you for your love.  I thank you for that amazing thing you did in sending your son who surrendered to the cross, and bridged the gap so that we could call you Father.  I thank you for your Spirit, the part of you that dwells in side of us, so that we are never alone.  Holy and Triad God, I ask that you complete the work inside of us that began with that initial prayer of repentance.  Amen.