Foundation of Truth and Life

1 Timothy 3:14-16    
14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:

God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.

Paul wrote this letter to Timothy with the intent of coming soon after to speak to him face to face, but it was vital that he wrote to impart wisdom, encouragement, and guidance until that time.  The church needed guidance, and the letter provided God’s direction and guidance that was needed now and could not wait.  Timothy needed to know how to conduct himself in God’s church, and to be reminded that it was the foundation and support of His truth which needed to be upheld by God’s word given by His chosen apostle.  All the church was built on this truth hidden in Christ, God among us.  Therefore he ends the thought here of the Word made man who was justified by word and deed before the Father and us, who demonstrated to the heavenly beings His glory in the work of redemption, whose good news of the Kingdom was proclaimed to the nations, who then was believed by His sheep whom He called out, and who then rose into heaven before their eyes as witnesses to His divinity and promise to return for salvation’s consummation in the resurrection to come and judgment on the world for His glory.  Amen!