CHRISTIAN FAMILIES

The family is the oldest and most familiar of God’s institutions. A Christian family is a wonderful blessing; both to the members of it and to the community. But many families are failures. Instead of being a refuge of peace and comfort, some homes are arenas of strife, hatred and confusion. Solomon said, “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred” (Proverbs 15:17). The high rate of divorce and juvenile delinquency are well-published evi­dences of families that failed. Still others are failing because the parents and children lack the rich spiritual experiences that a home should provide.

A Christian family is a family composed of Christians. This means more than just being church attenders. A Christ-like personality is needed. For a time, it was popular to wear items with “WWJD” (What would Jesus do) printed on them. It needs to be more than a slogan. In our families, each member of the family should be guided in every situation by that question: “What would Jesus do?” Christ should be acknow­ledged as the silent listener in every conversation and as a partner in every decision.

In a Christian family each person recognizes his own place and duty. In Ephesians 5:22-25 we read: “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” Peter instructs wives to adorn themselves with a meek and quiet spirit and to be in subjection to their husbands. Then he continues, “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7). The greatest thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. When he does so, his leadership will be easier to follow.

Parents are to accept their duty of training their children with wise counsel and loving discipline. “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). In Proverbs 29: 15 we are told, “The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.” Solomon also wrote, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). There is no greater task than the rearing of children, but it takes effort, love, and consistency. The story is told of a man who stood before the statue of Abraham Lincoln in Washington. He remarked to a lady who stood nearby, “I would like to be the artist who carved this statue.” She replied, “I would rather be the mother who made the man.”

We must also recognize that in a Christian home, attention is given to more than just the mental and physical needs. No one denies the importance of food, clothing, shelter, and even education. However, too few remember that the souls in the family also need food. Prayer should be as regular as meals. The Scriptures should have as much a place as the newspaper and television. Emphasis should be given to education in the things of God. Yet, many parents are highly concerned about public school, music lessons, and sports, but care very little whether the child learns about God and His holy Book. My friends, the greatest need facing today’s world is not better doctors, lawyers, and scientists, but better Christians. We need a new generation which has God’s truth deeply instilled in its minds by the faithful instruction and example of Godly parents.
--Lamar