The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
April 27, 2008
In
This Issue:
Why
We Need to Study the Home
by
Steve Klein
Why We Need to Study the Home
[NOTE: Jeff Archer is to be with us this coming Friday through Sunday to direct our minds in a study of what the Bible says about the home. This will be a great opportunity for each of us to learn, grow and strengthen family relationships. I believe that we all need this study. Here's why:]
OUR ETERNAL DESTINIES ARE AT STAKE.
In His word, God has laid out His expectations
for our homes. Failing to comply with God's will is sin! (1
John 3:4). We must realize that it is more than just
unfortunate when homes are broken by divorce, or when they remain
intact but are filled with misery, abuse, manipulation,
dissatisfaction and loneliness. These conditions are the fruits
of sin. When Judgment comes, sins relative to home life will
certainly send more than a few surprised souls to an eternal hell (2
Thessalonians 1:7-9). Husbands must realize that we cannot
(mis)treat our wives any way we please if we expect to go to heaven.
Wives must understand that they owe their husbands respect and honor
on par with what the church is to have for Christ her head.
Likewise, parents and children must see that the way they behave
toward one another has eternal implications.
HOME IS THE CENTER OF LIFE.
God's word implies that the home is the center
of a human being's life (cf. Deuteronomy 21:12). It is in the
home that most of our physical, emotional, educational and spiritual
needs are to be met. The home is our base of operations, our
refuge from the demands of this world, and the place where we make
the closest of human connections. When things are not right at home,
our entire lives are off center. Whatever God-ordained
improvements we can make in home life will improve our whole life.
HOMES ARE UNDER ATTACK.
In the 1962 book Marriage is for those who Love
God&ldots;And One Another, author Thomas Warren notes the frontal
attack then being made on the family in some nations by Communist and
Marxist philosophies. Then he makes the following statement:
"In our own great nation, there is no deliberate, ideological,
or concerted attack on marriage and the family&ldots;" To
those of us living in living in the new millennium, it seems
incredible that such a statement could have been made less than 50
years ago.
Today the home is being attacked on every side. Groups advancing homosexual rights and feminism are especially vigorous in their efforts to destroy the family structure as we know it and God ordained it. Efforts are being made to legalize homosexual marriages in several states. There is never a stalemate in the struggle between good and evil (cf. Ephesians 5:11ff.). We cannot stand by and "do nothing" and expect ourselves and our children to enjoy godly homes.
HOMES ARE FAILING.
Note these grim statistics: In 1960, the
percentage of children receiving aid to dependent children (ADC) was 3.5%.
By 1991, it was 12.9%. In 1960, 5.3% of births were to
unmarried women, but today about 30% of all children born in the
United States are "illegitimate". This figure does
not even take into account the fact that abortions also increased
astronomically over this time period; currently there are well over 1
million abortions performed every year in the United States.
Another 1 million children annually have their homes ripped apart by
divorce. These sad statistics illustrate that homes not built
according to God's plans will not work and may not stand.
"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build
it&ldots;" (Psalm 127:1). If we want a home that lasts, we
must know and follow God's plans.
CHRISTIANS DESIRE GREAT HOMES - BUT ARE DISENCHANTED
BY DISOBEDIENCE.
"The Home" is a sermon topic frequently
requested by church members. Perhaps the reason for this is
that many Christians are dissatisfied with their own home lives.
Their knowledge of how things should be only serves to make them unhappy.
Most of the problems for which people ask Biblical counseling and
advice also relate to relationships in the home. Happiness in
the home is desired by all, but often not possessed. Knowing
and applying God's will to our home lives is the only solution.
Let us all determine to attend every service of our upcoming gospel meeting. The soul you save, the happiness you find, and the family you prevent from failing may be your own!
--adapted from How to Build Your Dream Home by Steve Klein
.