The House of God

In past, we saw what the scriptures tells us about God the Father and His family, that is, believers. What an incredible privilege it is to receive new birth and immediately become a child of God. Now every believer is a legal partaker of all the promises of God and are now members of the house or household of God. The house of God is often referred to in the Old Testament as a physical Tabernacle or Temple. Many in the church today still hold on to that concept that the House of God is a material building or structure where believers gather together for church functions. However, the Bible paints an entirely different picture. The Apostle Paul tells us, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16) The apostle Peter tells us, "You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house..." (1 Peter 2:5) Both Peter and Paul are not talking about an edifice, but believers themselves are the temple, the spiritual house of God, His dwelling place. Paul also tell us, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:10)

Here God's Family is given a very choice name, "the Household of Faith." This reveals an incredible truth. All believers are blood-brothers (and sisters). We have partaken of the same nature, as well as being heirs and joint heirs of Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:17) We are not Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, Pentecostals, Charismatics or even non-denominational. To those who have come into new birth through faith in Jesus Christ, we are God's sons and daughters, God's Family, His house on earth. As members of the Family, we are to minister to each other and watch over each other in love. Paul tells us, "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." (Ephesians 2:19)  All believers everywhere need to drop everything that we use that separates us from one another and realize this very important fact, God desires to live with His children. He does not want to be simply a guest in our individual lives, no, He wants to have a Father's place in our lives and hearts (John 14:23) and as children of God, we are to be one. (John 17:22)

Think about this. Perhaps the most wonderful fact is, God did not create the whole human race at the same time, but He created one man and one woman and permitted them to be the father and mother of His house to produce for Him more children. This shows the eternal responsibility of fatherhood and  motherhood not only in the natural sense, but moreover, in the spiritual sense. The Apostle Paul says it this way, "My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you." (Galatians 4:19) But how can Christ be formed in believers, His house, the church, if we do not want Him. What do I mean by this? No matter what denomination, group of churches or whether an independent congregation, according to statistics, the average church service lasts approximately one hour. 

We may say things like, "we come together to meet with God", "we come together to worship God", but the reality is, for most, we come together to practice our religion in the name of being "sensitive each others time or to those we are trying to reach." We sing songs instead of truly worshiping in spirit and truth. We hear so called relevant sermons that makes us feel good about ourselves, but rarely have any spiritual affect upon those who hear, because they are meant to play upon the emotions and not spiritual transformation. In stead of making disciplines, we fill the church with numerous programs that are simply therapeutic and not spiritually life changing. The sad thing is, we twist the meaning of scripture, to appease our conscience and fit our religious experience so we can justify what we do or not do. Think about it. How many marriages would survive if a husband and wife squeezed each other into a one hour a week meeting? This is why most congregations never experience a true encounter with God in their church services or programs, but equate an emotional response as an encounter with God.  This is not to say that we cannot be emotional, but that emotions cannot dictate a true encounter with the Living God. Transformation is the results of encountering God. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Jesus said, "..."If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." (John 14:23) This is not referring to the new birth experience, but the continuous presence of God in the church. In Jesus' final instructions to the disciples, He also prays for those who will believe in Him through the preaching of the gospel by the disciples. He says, "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one." (John 17:22) He also says, "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold (to look at; to view attentively; to see; to perceive with the eyes; to enjoy the presence of) My glory which You have given Me." (John 17:24)     

The Apostle Paul tells us, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21) This is not about revival, per se, it is about the continuous manifestation of God in His house, the church. Honestly, where is the manifestation of the Lord in His house? Where is the manifestation of oneness in His house? Where is the manifestation of His power in His house? Where is the manifestation of His glory in His house?  Why has the majority of the church become an institution working at pleasing man rather than a living Body seeking to please God? Look at the words of the Apostles Peter and John, "But Peter and John replied to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you (man) and obey you (man) rather than God, you must judge [for yourselves]." (Acts 4:19 AMP) They said this under persecution. They wanted to please God, not man and were willing to face the consequences, be what they may. Look at the words of the Apostle Paul, "For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10) I guess we can say, if Paul were to please man, he would not be pleasing to Christ.

Jesus finish up what we term "The Lord's Prayer" with these words, "For Yours is the Kingdom, Power and Glory forever, Amen." (Matthew 6:13) I certainly cannot speak for all who read this, but I desire the manifestation of God's Kingdom, Power and Glory wherever I am, especially in a church service, than trying to get through religious acts and programs of man that do not transform lives. A congregation that is more concerned about peoples scheduling than desiring the manifestation of God's Kingdom, Power and Glory, should never expect to experience the manifestation of such in their meetings. Jesus tells us, "Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20)

I am certainly not trying to be critical toward any congregation, but Jesus did say, "I will build my church." (Matthew 16:18) So, let's open the door of our heart. Let's open the door of His house and stop trying to fit God into our schedules, but let Him takes us into eternity by permitting Him full access to His house on His terms and on His schedule. Let's throw religion out of the church and let the King of Glory in. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.