Same Child, Different Circumstances (An article by Donny Meyer)

JULY 11, 2023

 “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (I Timothy 3:14, 15)

There is a major difference between a child who is an adolescent and lives with his parents; and the same child who has come of age and lives on his own. When he is of adolescence and lives with his parents, he is obligated to abide by the rules of his parent’s house. What his parents say, he must obey for the parents are the head of the house. But when the child becomes of age and leaves his parent’s house, a change takes place. He now stands on his own and governs his own house. When he visits his parents, he may receive advice from them, but he is not obligated to take their advice. It may be to his best benefit to listen to their advice, but he is under no obligation to do so. The parents cannot force him, nor can they discipline him for not receiving the advice. He comes and goes as he pleases and is not restricted by his parents because of the freedom that he now has.

Many, today, think of the House of God in the same way as the young adult that left his parent’s house. The House of God is treated as a place where the young adult can come and go as he pleases but is under no obligation. He may receive the Word of God if it suits him but feels that he has no duty of obedience. If the church intrudes too far into his life, then he distances himself by not attending. He does this while still claiming to be a follower of Christ.

While many think of the House of God in the same way as the young adult thinks of his parents, it is quite the contrary. For the true believer in Jesus Christ, the individual has been adopted into the household of God and is a child of God. He is one that is under the headship of Christ and is obligated to obey His rule and instruction. Jesus Christ has commanded the disciples to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world…” (Matt. 28:19-20) These disciples will be instructed to observe all that Jesus commands. Apostle Paul said to his child in the faith, “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (I Tim. 3:14, 15) Paul did exactly as Christ had instructed. He made disciples and gave them the command of Christ. There is a way in which one ought to behave in the house of God, and this instruction comes from the King, Himself. All of God’s children, young and old alike, are obligated to obey Christ and His instructions.