Thirdly, the church is a pillar and buttress of the truth. Pillars hold up heavy weights. Consider the pillars that hold up the front of the Auckland Museum. Buttresses are massive supports that hold the sides of a building rigid so it won’t crumble and collapse outwards under its own weight. So, Paul describes the church as that which holds the truth high and in place – immoveable and rock solid in the world. Each church (including ours) has this vital task to perform: to hold high and keep steady against all tremors and attacks the truth of God. We do so by teaching and sharing the Word of God and by confirming it through lives lived by faith in Jesus Christ – your life has to be evidence. This is the same thing Jesus spoke of when he said that the church was like a city set on a hill that can be seen at night by its sparkling lights. He said that the church is to the earth like salt is to meat – preserving it and fighting off the rot. The church lifts high the truth as it is in Jesus and he is a reference point which shows the way to God and a light that exposes the evil at work in the world.
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. John 12.32 Jesus was first lifted up in shame on the cross. Now we lift up the truth of that gospel which includes the truth that Jesus has been raised up to give his life to everyone who repents and turns to look on him in faith. (Remember the bronze serpent!).
No comments:
Post a Comment