THE PERFECT FAMILY AS GOD HAS PRESCRIBED

Articles

Ross Berry
09/05/23 - Encouragement

THE PERFECT FAMILY AS GOD HAS PRESCRIBED

THE PERFECT FAMILY AS GOD HAS PRESCRIBED: We find in the New Testament (our law to live by today), complete instructions from our Lord to provide a loving and peaceful family life for the short time we have here on His earth. God wishes us to be happy and content while we live here. To do so, each must fulfill the role He has given in life. However, as we look around, it is obvious many folks fail to heed His teachings. Husbands and wives abuse the laws God has given for marriage, children don't respect their parents and their authority, and some parents fail to follow His important directions to properly raise children. As a result, we see all kinds of abuse, chaos, broken homes, crimes, etc.

Christians, as God's special people, must always abide by the laws and directions given by Him if we expect to arrive at the proper results He has promised those who love Him and His teachings. Please allow me to point out a few things that remind us of how important these are to us.

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Wives be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, LOVE YOUR WIVES, and do not be embittered against them, Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. " (Colossians 3:17-20)

"Fathers, so not exasperate your children, that they many not lose heart" (Colossians 3:21)

"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for punishment of evil doers and the praise of those who do right, For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men." (1 Peter 2:13-15)

God has provided laws and directions for us to follow in all the area of our lives, and for our good. If we listen and obey these in are area of family, civil government (Romans 13), and the church He died for, we will not only have God's approval, but will enjoy lives of happiness as He desires. It's when we depart from His ways, and demand our own, that we fall into such perils. (Proverbs 14:12)

Paul encouraged the church at Ephesus especially in chapter 5 ways that will help to have lives of approval and happiness while on earth. As he ends chapter 4, we see these words: "And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. " (Ephesians 5:1-2)

Later in this chapter Paul exhorts them to use caution and care, not only in how they treat one another, but in obedience to the Lord. Notice what he tells them beginning in verse 21:

"..and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church. He himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands love you wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word. (Ephesians 5:21-26)

"Children, obey your parents IN THE LORD, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth. And fathers, do not provoke your children in anger; but BRING THEM UP IN THE DISCIPLINE AND INSTRUCTION OF THE LORD." (Ephesians 6:1-4)

God always wants what's best for His people, and His wisdom is much greater than ours. If we listen and do what He tells us, we will never go wrong. Remember what the prophet Isaiah said many years ago: "His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts not our thoughts" (Isaiah 55) ....God is so much higher than man, His wisdom so much greater than ours; by such a great demonstration of His love (salvation through His Son), we ought to be motivated to obey and have the hope of His promises. Let us focus and think about what He has given us and promised through His Son. God bless us today !!

Ross