Pillars of the ChurchBy Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12
Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work … he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught. Titus 1:8-9
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
In the Cathedral of St. Mark in Venice—a marvelous building, lustrous with an Oriental splendor far beyond description—there are pillars said to have been brought from Solomon’s Temple. These are of alabaster, a substance firm and durable as granite, and yet transparent, so that the light glows through them.
They are an emblem of what all true pillars of the church should be—firm in their faith and transparent in their character; people of simple mold, ignorant of tortuous and deceptive ways, and yet people of strong will, not readily led aside or bent from uprightness. We know a few such alabaster people; may the great Master-builder place more of them in his temple!