“And when James, Cephas, and John who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision” Galatians 2:9 (KJV)
Pillars are very important in a building because they support the building. They determine the strength and quality of a structure. The pillars determine how strong and how durable the building will be.
Caterpillars on the other hand weaken the building by eating up the structure. Caterpillar wrecks the fabric of a building while the pillar strengthens the structure. The church of God is likened to a buildin. Like the physical structure, the church is supported by pillars. Cephas, James and John were so supportive to the church of God. They were assets to the church.
Believers are meant to be as pillars in the work of the kingdom. Such support could come in form of dedicated service to the church and the Lord. It could be prayer and intercessory support to the church. One could be strong supporter in teaching of the word thereby providing solid foundation and base for the members. One could also be a strong financial and material support for the church and its members.
Some members of the body rather than being supportive, are kingdom liabilities. The body is meant to be perfected by that which every joint supplies. Christian relationship should be symbiotic relationship in which everyone member is supportive and not a parasitic relation in which only few support and others are liabilities. Every Christian has something to contribute to the body of Christ. It is as we locate our God-given gifts that we become relevant members of the body of Christ- the church.
Caterpillars are agents of darkness while pillars are agents of God’s kingdom. Every member of the body of Christ should be trained to discover their gifting and grace so they can be given right hand of fellowship to enable them to live life of contribution and blessing to the body; we should perceive the grace in people’s lives so they can truly contribute to the body.
PRAYER: Oh God, make me a pillar in your church.
Rev. Vincent Diolu