February 27, 2022
“But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15. (NLT)
How would you define a good Christian Family? How would you describe your family? Would you say the Christian Family is on trial today? A good Christian family is one that lines up with biblical principles and one in which each member understands and fulfills his or her God-given role.
After spending some time in a local Barber Shop getting my hair trimmed, I was amazed at the discussion of a primary millennium age group discussing their perception of the roles of a husband and/or wife! It is no wonder why there are so many dysfunctional families and relationships today!
There is no better place to learn the essential principles of life than in “The FAMILY”, and nowhere can the truths of God’s Word be more effectively taught and modeled than in The Family. It is one of God’s greatest resources for collaboration, delivering God’s truth, and effecting change in our communities when it is done the way God designed. This change is directly related to the family’s spiritual commitment to the principles of God’s Word. Equally, however, there is no institution, no group of people with more power and ability to destroy a person than the family!
“The FAMILY” Was God’s Exclusive Idea From The Beginning! It was established by God as a primary institution. Before there were any cities, nations, or any other communities’ there was the family! Whether accepted or not, there is no greater institution, no better group of people to effect positive change in the world than The Family.
God Established Three Institutions: The Family, the State, and the Church! The Family, Logically and chronologically comes first, based on “biological unity”. The State was based on “geographical unity” and the Church was based on “spiritual unity” intended to strengthen and be reciprocally dependent!
The Word God is the Instruction Manual for the Earthly Family! It provides clear guidelines for the makeup of the family! There is a husband, wife, and their offspring or adopted children. Also, be mindful that there is the Family of God, which consists of all Believers in Christ united together by the bond of faith.
The Family And God-Given Roles
THE FATHER: Fathers are instructed to bring up their children in “the training and instruction of the Lord” noted in Ephesians 6:4. The Role of the father is the Priest, Provider, and Protector of the family. Many are not clear regarding this role and the family struggles and suffers as a result. A father is to provide for his family. If he does not, he “denies the faith and is worse than an unbeliever”, 1 Timothy 5:8. The Family was created by God for the benefit of man, and man has been given stewardship over it. So, a man who makes no effort to provide for his family cannot rightly call himself a Christian.
THE WIFE/MOTHER: The husband and wife are responsible for holding the family together. As
mentioned, the husband has the primary role of provider; however, this does not mean that the wife cannot assist in supporting the family but providing for the family is not primarily her responsibility; it is the role of her husband. Proverbs chapter 31 demonstrates the epitome of a godly wife/mother and businesswoman. She is a virtuous woman with high moral standards, courageous, honest, faithful, has integrity, fairness, self-control, and prudence, are some examples that sustain and give life and peace to the family. One of the roles of the woman was given to man for the purpose of being her husband’s helper in Genesis 2:18–20 and to bear children.
The husband and wife in a Christian marriage are to remain faithful to one another for a lifetime. The parents are to obey the Word of God! The children learn by example, and from what they see modeled in the home. The blessings that come from God for those who obey and daily seek him. Obedience to the Word of God is key and without it, we have suffering and chaos.
THE CHILDREN: Children are a wonderful blessing. Children are given two primary responsibilities in the Christian family: to obey their parents and to honor them noted in Ephesians 6:1-3. Obeying parents is the duty of children until they reach adulthood, but honoring our parents is their responsibility for a lifetime. God promises His blessings on those who honor their parents Psalm 127:3. Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.
Many times, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren often bear the consequences of their parent’s sins! There are some obvious sins of parents such as neglect, child abuse, or substance to name a few. While these sins are obvious, sins like selfishness, lying, being deceitful, and demonstrating greed can be passed along as well. Be careful not to treat sin casually but repent and turn from it. The sin may cause you little pain now, but it could sting in the most vulnerable area of your life later!
RX: A DISCIPLINED 
HEART Psalm 119:67. “I used to wander off until you disciplined me, but now I closely follow your word. (NLT) Ideally, a Christian family will have all members committed to Christ and His service. When a husband, wife, and children all fulfill their God-appointed roles, then peace and harmony reign in the home. But, if we try to have a Christian family without Christ as Head or without adhering to the biblical principles the Lord has lovingly provided for us, the home will suffer!
FATHER GOD: Thank You, Father, for being our disciplining parent. Thank You, for how You abundantly care for us, so we should joyfully care for our family. Help us to be mindful that Obedience and Faith to the Word of God and honoring You Father is the most important inheritance we can pass along to future generations, in the Precious, Powerful and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen
“Woman was taken out of man; not out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled under his feet; but out of his side to be equal to him, under his arm to be covered and protected, and near his heart to be loved.”
– Matthew Henry