A MIRROR FROM THE ALTAR WHERE OUR WALK WITH GOD WILL BE TRIED AGAINST
TOPIC: THE PILLARS, THE COUNTER - PILLARS AND CATERPILLARS.
MAIN TEXT: 2 TIMOTHY 2:20-21
MAIN TEXT: 2 TIMOTHY 2:20-21
"2 Timothy 2:20-22 King James Version (KJV)
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work."
A pillar is defined as bulwark, “A strong supporter of something.” In other words, a Pillar is a “Strong support.” Incidentally, while the Bible regards the Church as the Body of Christ it also refers to the Church as a “…Pillar and ground of the Truth” I Timothy 3:15. Stated in another way, without the Lord’s Church on earth today, Truth would have long ceased to be heard anywhere on planet Earth. As a Divine Institution, the Church is the Pillar of Truth - the only ally that Truth has. While other churches are counter-pillars and caterpillars of the Truth, the CHURCH OF CHRIST remains the only place where the simplicity of Truth as taught by Jesus Christ, practiced and preached by Apostles and early New Testament Christians is still held sacrosanct.
Someone might argue that there are vestiges of truth in other churches. That I agree. However, I am reminded of someone said Clement “Those who set a truth apart, have truth in part and from the truth depart.” The CHURCH OF CHRIST is a Pillar of Truth.
Interestingly, too, Apostle Paul while writing to Galatians in Galatians 2:9 referred to James, Peter and John as “Pillars.” If these men can be seen as pillars, it, therefore, means that human beings and Christians can be pillars of their families, communities, societies in which they live and in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is to say that the Church of Christ where we belong cannot function effectively as Pillar and ground of the Truth if there are no human pillars such as were Apostles James, Peter and John.
Pillars are supporters. Am I then a supporter or destroyer of the work of God where I am?
“Pillars of the Church” refers to those strong supporters of the Church. They are great supporters of Truth and of good works. We find such people in Phoebe who was a great pillar of the Church that was at Cenchrea. Apostle Paul commended her greatly Romans 16:1-2. Dorcas was a Pillar in the early Church. Through her good works, she demonstrated her commitment to Kingdom business as she was reaching out to others within and outside the Church in her locality, so much so that when she died, early Disciples of Jesus could not accept her death but implore the Lord through His servant to raise her up Acts 9:36-43.
Joseph, whom early Christians renamed, “Barnabas” meaning, “Son of Encouragement” was such a great supporter (Pillar) that he was moved by what moved the Church. His contribution to the cause of the kingdom business was what led to him being named, “Son of Encouragement” Acts 4:36-37. Mary Magdalene, Joanna (wife of Chuza) and Susanna were women who were pillars of Jesus’ Ministry because they provided support for Him through their personal means Luke 8:1-3.
These were great Pillars in the work of the Lord and among early Christians without whose support, encouragement, positive efforts and sacrifices the battle of the Lord and the work of the Lord would have suffered. Moses, Aaron and Hur proved to be great Pillars when Israel fought a decisive battle with Amalek. In fact, without the efforts of these men the battle would have been lost Exodus 17:8-13.
Some of the Sterling qualities of Pillars are that they are people who love the Lord and are committed to the growth and development of the Church. They are selfless and are not self-opinionated, and do not politicize the affairs of the Church.
As there were Pillars in the early Church so there are Pillars in modern day Congregations of the Lord’s Church. Can we be counted among Pillars of the Lord’s Church today?
Someone might argue that there are vestiges of truth in other churches. That I agree. However, I am reminded of someone said Clement “Those who set a truth apart, have truth in part and from the truth depart.” The CHURCH OF CHRIST is a Pillar of Truth.
Interestingly, too, Apostle Paul while writing to Galatians in Galatians 2:9 referred to James, Peter and John as “Pillars.” If these men can be seen as pillars, it, therefore, means that human beings and Christians can be pillars of their families, communities, societies in which they live and in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is to say that the Church of Christ where we belong cannot function effectively as Pillar and ground of the Truth if there are no human pillars such as were Apostles James, Peter and John.
Pillars are supporters. Am I then a supporter or destroyer of the work of God where I am?
“Pillars of the Church” refers to those strong supporters of the Church. They are great supporters of Truth and of good works. We find such people in Phoebe who was a great pillar of the Church that was at Cenchrea. Apostle Paul commended her greatly Romans 16:1-2. Dorcas was a Pillar in the early Church. Through her good works, she demonstrated her commitment to Kingdom business as she was reaching out to others within and outside the Church in her locality, so much so that when she died, early Disciples of Jesus could not accept her death but implore the Lord through His servant to raise her up Acts 9:36-43.
Joseph, whom early Christians renamed, “Barnabas” meaning, “Son of Encouragement” was such a great supporter (Pillar) that he was moved by what moved the Church. His contribution to the cause of the kingdom business was what led to him being named, “Son of Encouragement” Acts 4:36-37. Mary Magdalene, Joanna (wife of Chuza) and Susanna were women who were pillars of Jesus’ Ministry because they provided support for Him through their personal means Luke 8:1-3.
These were great Pillars in the work of the Lord and among early Christians without whose support, encouragement, positive efforts and sacrifices the battle of the Lord and the work of the Lord would have suffered. Moses, Aaron and Hur proved to be great Pillars when Israel fought a decisive battle with Amalek. In fact, without the efforts of these men the battle would have been lost Exodus 17:8-13.
Some of the Sterling qualities of Pillars are that they are people who love the Lord and are committed to the growth and development of the Church. They are selfless and are not self-opinionated, and do not politicize the affairs of the Church.
As there were Pillars in the early Church so there are Pillars in modern day Congregations of the Lord’s Church. Can we be counted among Pillars of the Lord’s Church today?
COUNTER-PILLARS IN THE CHURCH
I wouldn’t know if there is any word in English Language called, Counter-Pillar but I do know that a “Counter” is anything that is false and opposite that which is true such as we have in counterfeit money or products.
Counter-pillars in the Church are the greatest sources of discouragement and setbacks. They rise up against the Truth, are always in opposition to right things and causing the work of God to retrogress. Counter-pillars are those who turn the good things of God and the work of the Church upside down. These are the people that Apostle Peter 2 Peter 2:2 and Apostle Jude (Jude verse 4) had talked about. These are people who bring shame to the Gospel 2 Cor. 6:3 and are usually ashamed of the Gospel Rom. 1:16. They discourage people from knowing Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour consequent upon the way they live, comport themselves and approach the work of the Lord including issues bothering it. Seeing them, unbelievers and those outside the Church would say, “If this is what it means to be a Christian and member of Church of Christ, please count me out.”
Counter-pillars in the Church are the greatest sources of discouragement and setbacks. They rise up against the Truth, are always in opposition to right things and causing the work of God to retrogress. Counter-pillars are those who turn the good things of God and the work of the Church upside down. These are the people that Apostle Peter 2 Peter 2:2 and Apostle Jude (Jude verse 4) had talked about. These are people who bring shame to the Gospel 2 Cor. 6:3 and are usually ashamed of the Gospel Rom. 1:16. They discourage people from knowing Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour consequent upon the way they live, comport themselves and approach the work of the Lord including issues bothering it. Seeing them, unbelievers and those outside the Church would say, “If this is what it means to be a Christian and member of Church of Christ, please count me out.”
Counter-pillars are not the vocal types and are not overly aggressive. However, their activities run contrary to the efforts made by Pillars. Their efforts are geared towards neutralizing the good efforts of others. Jesus said of such people, “Whoever does not gather with me scatters” Matthew 12:30. These are the people who specialize in turning Saints into Sinners Matthew 23:15. When souls are converted they would work hard at reconverting those who have been converted.
Are you reconverting the converted? Are you a counter-pillar?
We find these people parasiting on the morality, spirituality and commitments of others.
Are you reconverting the converted? Are you a counter-pillar?
We find these people parasiting on the morality, spirituality and commitments of others.
CATERPILLARS IN THE CHURCH
A caterpillar is a destroyer in all respects, whether one is referring to an insect or machinery – they perform the same work of destruction. Caterpillars were the subject of divine discourse in Joel chapters 1:4 and 2:25.
Those who follow such people end up suffering the shipwreck of their faith and souls 1 Timothy 1:19-20. Spiritual caterpillars are those who topsy-turvy (turn-upside-down) the faith of others 2 Timothy 2:16-18. These are modern Pharisees and Saducees who are devourers - not only do they devour people’s resources Luke 20:47 but also devour their spiritualities and moralities 2Timothy 3:5-6.
Strictly speaking, Diotrephess was a Caterpillar in the early Church. He possessed the attitude of, “If I do not rule, I will ruin”; “If I am not at the helm of affairs, I will be at the heels”; “If my opinion is not accepted, none else will hold any water” 3 John Vs.9-11. These are destructive attitudes which point to Caterpillars in the Church. We must avoid Diotrophesic mentality and self-will 3 John Vs.9-11; Titus 1:7b. We must avoid the temptation to politicize the affairs of the Church - taking members to ourselves and pitching tents against others Acts 20:28-30. If this happens, it is a sign that we are caterpillars where we are.
Those who follow such people end up suffering the shipwreck of their faith and souls 1 Timothy 1:19-20. Spiritual caterpillars are those who topsy-turvy (turn-upside-down) the faith of others 2 Timothy 2:16-18. These are modern Pharisees and Saducees who are devourers - not only do they devour people’s resources Luke 20:47 but also devour their spiritualities and moralities 2Timothy 3:5-6.
Strictly speaking, Diotrephess was a Caterpillar in the early Church. He possessed the attitude of, “If I do not rule, I will ruin”; “If I am not at the helm of affairs, I will be at the heels”; “If my opinion is not accepted, none else will hold any water” 3 John Vs.9-11. These are destructive attitudes which point to Caterpillars in the Church. We must avoid Diotrophesic mentality and self-will 3 John Vs.9-11; Titus 1:7b. We must avoid the temptation to politicize the affairs of the Church - taking members to ourselves and pitching tents against others Acts 20:28-30. If this happens, it is a sign that we are caterpillars where we are.
If a person can build his or her own marriage, standing as a pillar therein and another can destroy his or her own marriage, standing as a caterpillar therein Proverbs 14:1, then it behooves us to understand that some people are Pillars, others are Counter-pillars while the rest are Caterpillars. The difference is in where we are and our attitudes at any given point in time.
In Conclusion,
Are you a Pillar, Counter-pillar or Caterpillar? Jesus desires to make out of each of us a Pillar in the House of His Father Revelations 3:12. If the character traits of “Counter-pillars” and “Caterpillars” best describe your life, why not retrace your steps by removing the prefixes, “Counter” and “Cater” so that “Pillar,” which is what God wants us to be would remain?
Are you a Pillar, Counter-pillar or Caterpillar? Jesus desires to make out of each of us a Pillar in the House of His Father Revelations 3:12. If the character traits of “Counter-pillars” and “Caterpillars” best describe your life, why not retrace your steps by removing the prefixes, “Counter” and “Cater” so that “Pillar,” which is what God wants us to be would remain?
God bless us as we do this in Jesus’ name. Amen!
THE PILLARS, THE COUNTER - PILLARS AND CATERPILLARS.
Reviewed by Amb Ebube Jonathan
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Reviewed by Amb Ebube Jonathan
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