The House of God

Peace is the ministry of healing. The ecclesia is a house of peace, love, joy and harmony. People who live in the ecclesia are supposed to proclaim freedom for their fellow friends and do what is right in the sight of God. In the ecclesia, people have made a covenant with God. Because of the abundant peace in the ecclesia, David said, “I love the house where you live, O Lord, the place where your glory dwells” (Ps 26:8 NIV).

Palaces or hotels are not houses of peace. King David had his own palace but he desired to be in the house of God. He had his own soldiers and body-guards but he was not satisfied with the things of his day. He wanted something very special, and that is: “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple” (Ps 27:4).

The truth can only be found in this house and not in palaces or hotels or in any school of thought. Paul said, “If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household which is the church of the living God: the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Tim 3: 15). The owner of this house is God and not man. We have no authority in the house, but God alone. The truth started here and is supported by the pillar: this pillar holds the truth. If we left our own houses to enter this house, we are supposed to surrender our own customs, habits and attitude, and to adopt the system that is practiced in this house.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Some entered this house for material gain, others because of strife and envy. Very few are called. “It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defence of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains” (Phil 1:15-17).

Bro Harmony Ntchalachala (Kasungu, Malawi)