CONDUCT IN THE HOUSE OF GOD
[p. 18] CONDUCT IN THE HOUSE OF GOD
God’s house is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and base of the truth, and there must be suitable conduct on the part of everyone who is in it. “God’s house” is marked by divine order. “The assembly of the living God” suggests a company of persons in spiritual vitality, so that their order is not merely correct form, but the outcome of living exercises. “The pillar and base of the truth” refers to the assembly as set here in witness in the power of divine anointing amidst all the instability and untruth of men’s thoughts. And the secret spring of all is the “great” mystery of piety — the cherishing in holy affections all that was manifested in flesh when Christ was here. There we see the full expression of God as in the light of revelation, and we see also everything that was suitable to God in a Man. This known in the heart is “the mystery of piety” — the unseen moving power which lies behind all that discloses itself in the practical life of saints, like the spring and works of a clock which cannot be seen, but which need to be in action if the hands are to indicate the correct time. There will neither be divine order, spiritual vitality, nor true witness if piety is lacking. The origin and maintaining power of piety is the affectionate knowledge of Christ as He may be seen portrayed in the four Gospels. The conduct suitable to the assembly has this for its living spring. This, when enshrined in loving hearts, will work out a result that is worthy of God, in order, in living conditions, and in witness.
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