Paul takes us back to basics with a message on the Christian family. Considering how many homes are broken homes due to divorce or sex before marriage leading to children out of wedlock, “broken homes” are common. This does not even touch on families which are formed by same sex couples, which is a new, growing kind of broken home in our culture.
If that is not enough we also have culture constantly trying to tell us that a man and woman in marriage should have all the same roles… both be joint leaders in the home, both work, both do everything. The world would have us believe that this is how we should structure the family. But is that how God tells us to structure the family? Even before we open the Bible to ready what God says, a logical consideration of God’s design for men and women shows any sensible person that there are significant differences.
As disciples of Christ one very effective way we can be a light to others, drawing them to Christ, is through a healthy and godly family relationships. But we have to let go of what our culture tells us about family and seek, even embrace joyfully, what God tells us.
If you think the part about “slaves” no longer applies, consider it could still apply to “employees”, as “masters” would then apply to “bosses” or “managers”.
Marriage Like Christ and the Church
22Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23For 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. 24But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.
25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30because we are members of His body. 31FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. 32This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.
Family Relationships
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.
4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
5Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; 6not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 7With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.
9And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
Evaluate your family and work relationships carefully and honestly. Pray for the Spirit to show you where you need to change to be more set apart for God and His ways to be a light to others who do not know Him.
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