Making the Home Christian

Luke 10:38-42; I Corinthians 13:4-13

GOLDEN TEXT: “Charity suffereth long, and is kind.”—I Corinthians 13:4

THE word “charity” in our Golden Text, and throughout I Corinthians 13, is a translation of the Greek word agape. Due to the limited meaning so often associated with the word charity, probably “love” would be a better translation of the Greek in this instance. However, pure charity, which is the principle of giving where there is no hope or expectation of repayment, conveys the right meaning of agape. It is the great principle of unselfishness, of which God Himself is the Author, and in all the universe the most outstanding Exemplar.

Love, as a principle, is a fundamental necessity in any home if it is to be truly Christian. Where this principle does not operate, Christianity does not exist, at least, not more than in name. And besides this, the love principle must be guided in its operation by a knowledge of the plan and will of God in order for it properly to be called Christian love. There are many truly unselfish families in the world which make no profession of being Christian. There are many noble individuals who unselfishly sacrifice their lives for the good of mankind, but they are not Christians. Many such are openly unbelievers in Christ.

This is where the other part of today’s lesson fits so beautifully into the picture of Christian homemaking—that is, the story of Martha and Mary on an occasion of Jesus’ visit to their home. The narrative reveals that Martha was anxious to serve. There seems to be no question about her love for the Master and her willingness to use time and strength in His service. She was somewhat resentful that Mary seemingly did not have the same keen desire to be of service, and asked Jesus to call this to her sister’s attention.

Jesus’ answer is pregnant with meaning to all who wish to serve in a truly Christian manner. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and learned of Him, and the Master said that this was the “good part.” Thus did Jesus bring into focus for us an important principle governing the Christian life; namely, the value of knowledge. There is much work for every true Christian, but in order for it to be Christian service we must learn of Christ and familiarize ourselves with His teachings, and with the whole divine plan of which He is the central figure. The thought is well expressed by Paul in his letter to Timothy, when he wrote, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”—II Tim. 2:15

Knowledge of God, of Jesus, and of the divine plan, is essential to any Christian home, but knowledge without love is of little or no value so far as the attainment of Christlikeness and Godlikeness is concerned. We might have “all knowledge,” and understand “all mysteries,” but if we do not have love with the knowledge, we are “nothing.” (I Cor. 13:2) Christian love, then, is an enlightened love. We need to understand the mysteries of the Gospel. How essential it is that we understand that mystery which was hidden from previous ages and generations, and is now made known to the saints!—that mystery which the apostle describes as “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”—Col. 1:27

On the other hand, how valueless that knowledge would be to us if we were not motivated in its use by the principle of divine love! So the two must be blended and operate together in order for Christianity to be properly exemplified. When, therefore, the apostle writes that “love suffereth long, and is kind,” it is important to think of this long-suffering love as that which enables us to endure those trials which come to us because we have been faithful to the knowledge received while sitting at the Master’s feet and learning of Him. The whole world is called upon to endure trials, and there are many wonderful demonstrations of long-suffering—which is commendable—but only those who “endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ” can be said to do so in the spirit of “Christian” love.—II Tim. 2:3

The modern trend in professed Christianity is away from the importance of knowledge. Modernism places practically all the emphasis on morality, honesty, patience, courtesy, kindness, etc., and teaches that those who practice these things are good’ Christians, and that a community which upholds these virtues as a way of life is a Christian community. Certainly Christians will be all these things, but in order to be true Christians, acceptance of Christ as the Redeemer, consecration to do the divine will, and an earnest desire to know that will through a study of the divine plan as revealed in the Bible, are primarily essential.

It is that which we learn at the feet of Jesus, through a study of the Word, and then put into practice, which makes of us true Christians. To be kind and generous and patient and humble and forgiving, will not make Christian individuals or Christian homes except as they are the outgrowth of faith in the blood of Jesus and consecration to do God’s will. This is the only sure foundation upon which to build. Any other foundation is but the sinking sands of human wisdom and philosophy.

QUESTIONS:

Is “charity” a good translation of the Greek word agape?

Is knowledge essential in the Christian life?

What is the modern viewpoint with respect to faith in the blood?

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