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Nugget 4 Our Home and Environs October 1987 One of the greatest needs in the world today is proper home life, in particular, and good human relations, in general. Life, on a whole, (which comes from God), is taken so lightly (from conception to termination) that regard and respect are no longer qualities associated with man dealing with man. Of course, it begins in the home (good or evil), then affects the population as a whole. No wonder the enemy seems so relentless in his effort to destroy homes by instilling conflict and rebellion in the hearts and lives of both parents and children. The destroyer is busy in the homes of both Christians and non-Christians in his effort to devour the people. Parents, your home is your sanctuary; guard it, in the fear of the Lord and the power of His Spirit. Give no place to the devil. Let us look at the Word of God's command pertaining to the home and environment. Ephesians 5 gives us quite a bit to chew on. Marriage is a unique relationship of husband and wife, which serves as a picture of God's relationship with His people (Genesis 2:23-24), and Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:22-26). This shows the order of the home established by God. HUSBANDS: "Husbands, love your wives" - a wonderful opportunity, as well as a solemn obligation, which shows in a small degree God's righteous love, care and dedication to the church. NO MAN HAS A RIGHT TO MAKE A SLAVE OF HIS WIFE, since each is dependent upon the other. Both have different functions, therefore, each serves the other. Woman is complement to man, thus one is incomplete without the other. It takes both working together in harmony to produce that perfect union that will be the richest blessings of that home. So many times, instead of a rule and authority in love, there is harsh dictatorial rule by the husband, disregarding totally the responsibility, calling and talents of the other member of the union. Undoubtedly, there is that place of responsibility for the wife and mother to complete that oneness, which is the basis for a well-fortified home. A dictator disarms himself of the provision provided in the union as a check and balance, if his wife is obedient to the Spirit of God. Love is living goodwill that wants to penetrate, fill and bless the other with itself. Love is more giving than taking. WIVES: There is absolutely no doubt that the wife is a very important part of the function. It is very clear in the Word, that an unruly, self-willed, and obdurate wife is a hindrance, rather than a blessing to a man. The Word also makes clear the qualities that adorn a good wife. She should be gracious, virtuous, wise, prudent, and one that has the fear of the Lord. "Who can find a virtuous woman, for her price is far above rubies." Proverbs 31:10. "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord." Proverbs 18:22. "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." Proverbs 31:30. God's words are true and everlasting. They are our very life. We must recognize and obey the Word. Modern trends have worked havoc in the lives of many, who in search of reality and justice, embrace the rebellion of the age, instead of seeking the old path of love, respect, honour and reverence. Wives professing godliness must be sober, love their husbands and their children (Titus 2:4-5), be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed. If you are unequally yoked, seek God. He takes care of all our problems. Let us show forth Christ-likeness under all circumstances. There is always an answer to our problems. The reason we fail to find it, many times, is that we are busily applying our own methods, or the methods of some of our friends. May God take rebellion from our hearts and homes, and establish us in true holiness and righteousness, for the day of the Lord is at hand. PARENTS: A most honorable position - children truly are a gift from God. It is incumbent upon parents to teach, train, provide for, nurture, control, love, correct, instruct, and above all, set good examples for their children. The sin of the father will visit the third and fourth generation of them that hate God, or rather of them that are disobedient to God, but those who obey God give their children a chance to be delivered from these familiar spirits that go from one generation to another. Parents who leave the training of their children completely to the sitter, school or elsewhere, are shirking their responsibility before God, and are accountable for the souls they have brought into this world. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6) - and if he departs, he will not wander far. Remember, too, discipline begins PRENATALLY. Never give up on your children; if they seem to be getting away from that path of righteousness, keep on praying and believing. Your prayers could be their only hope of deliverance. BELIEVE GOD. HE CANNOT FAIL. CHILDREN: Your parents have given you life; love, honor, and obey them. Show me a boy or girl who is disobedient and rebellious, and you know that one is under the power of the devil and will be destroyed if he/she is not delivered from this terrible vice. It is said that disobedience to parents will be one of the plagues of the end time. See 2nd Timothy 3:2. Corrupt and destroy the children of today, and you are faced with a world of terror tomorrow. But may the God of peace break the power of this evil, and deliver the children. We see many an evil of yesterday coming to roost at this time. Children, no matter how small, can show forth the love of God in their everyday lives. This can be very beautiful; they are fresh and innocent - jewels of God's love and grace. Children radiate the spirit of love and kindness, or hate and arrogance, depending on their environment, home and school especially. We can all see the battle in the homes, created by the enemy, but who suffers most? The children do, of course. Beloved, the effort on our part to maintain love, joy, and peace in our homes is a precious labor to enrich the lives of our children. They are part of the Kingdom of God. Bring them to Jesus no matter how young. He will keep them in His love. |