Thought 282
The Christian Family
“One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in
subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house,
how shall he take care of the church of God?)” 1 Timothy 3:4-5 KJV
Discipline
is important, but so are love and encouragement and mercy.
ABOVE
ALL,
The
Father & Mother should seek to instill Scripture into the hearts and lives
of their children because the Word of God will not return unto Him void (Isaiah
55:11)—this knowledge of the Scriptures, like Timothy, has the ability to lead
to the salvation of their soul in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15).
The
Father should LEAD & Teach his family in spiritual matters—he is the head
of the home and must display Christ’s Truth through his own life example: every
father is accountable to God to do this.
The
Mother should care for her children in the home. She has been blessed by God to
be the instrument through which God brings children into the world and He has
designed her to also be a primary nurturer for a set season in a child’s life.
The home is an
important place. The home—the family—is to do more than just provide food and
drink, clothing, and shelter for a group of closely related individuals. The
home is to be a place of spiritual preparation, life purpose discovery, and
education. God, through the inspiration and person of the Holy Spirit, has said
that one of the qualifications for ministry is that a man “ruleth well his own
house (2 Tim. 3:4-5).” God considers the home to be a very important place in
His redemptive plan for mankind! Today, let’s take some time to think about the
Home—the Family. And may You, Heavenly Father, anoint us to hear your Truth—to have
ears to hear and eyes to see your plan. Amen.
In the New Testament we
see entire families coming to salvation in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:15&33,18:8)!
I was once in a service where a minister gave the current statistics for his
denomination on salvations. He said that they had many programs which were
winning women and children to Christ, but for every 100 men they won to Christ,
they won 98 or 99 families. Fathers, I believe you have an important role to
play in the family. If you take your role as the leader of your home seriously,
YOU WILL IMPACT YOUR CHILDREN. Two of the three Scriptures mentioned in this
paragraph referred to men being saved and their entire household following them.
Forget the statistics I mentioned, but look at the principle: men do have an eternal impact on their families.
Mothers, wives,
Scripture describes you in a beautiful way. I won’t go into all the verses
here, but here are some traits of a godly woman/wife: loving, respectful, wise,
faithful to her husband, a role model of godliness, a model of purity, a model
of inner beauty instead of outward vanity, a possessor of a gentle and quiet
spirit, a manager of the home, one who speaks with wisdom, and a demonstrator
of prudence. Wives, Mothers, your role is important too! You aren’t called to
be the leaders of your homes, but you are called to be all the things mentioned
above and more. Peter instructs Christian women married to unbelieving husbands
to set an example for their husband that their husbands may be won over to the
faith (1 Peter 3:1-6). We need you godly wives and mothers! Our world is crying
out for you in these Last Days! Please take your character seriously, live the
Word, model purity and godliness.
The Family also is God’s agent for populating
the earth through the union of a man and a woman in marriage. As children are
born, parents naturally discover that their children will mature and grow and
that they must instruct and prepare their children for life out in this world,
and most importantly, for eternal life with Christ in this life and the next. Fathers
and Mothers, your role of training of a child in the way he should go (Proverbs
22:6) is another important and necessary aspect of God’s plan. In the Fear of
God may you labor, to the best of your ability, for the sake of your children.
I’ve read numerous stories of great men and
women of God and one of the most recurring themes is the fact that they had
godly fathers and mothers who modeled God’s design, took their roles seriously,
and prepared their children for the Way God had ordained for them to Go.
Husband, rule your house well, sacrificially
as Christ did. Protect, be Faithful, model Christ, be a Leader, Provide for
your family’s needs (1 Tim 5:8), and Sacrificially Love as Christ loved us all,
His Church, His Bride.
All
authority flows from above, therefore Remember Christ’s example.
Five closing Thoughts
on the function of the Home:
The Home is…
1. A depiction of
Christ and His Church through the love, union, passion, and united labor of a
husband and wife. As well as, a depiction of how Believers are to relate to the
Family of God.
2. The means through
which children are born & raised/trained in the Fear of God & prepared and
released into their life callings.
3. A place to learn,
grown, share close unity, resolve conflict, & help others.
4. A productivity
center.
5. A place where Fathers
are leaders, Mothers are teachers, and Children obey in the Lord.
