The Christian Home

GOLDEN TEXT: “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” —Colossians 3:23

COLOSSIANS 3:12 – 4:1

IT HAS been said that charity, or love, begins at home, and this should certainly be true of all the Christian graces. Christianity which is not practiced at home but only among those outside of one’s own family is of little value. One whose heart is truly filled with the love of God will manifest humility, kindness, meekness, mercy, and long-suffering in his own home as well as in the church and in his association with those in the world.

When love fills the heart, the divine quality of forgiveness will also be manifested and we will take pleasure in forgiving one another, “even as Christ forgave us.” Indeed, as Paul states the matter, if we put on “charity,” or love, we will find it to be the “bond of perfectness”—that is, the influence which comprehends and holds together all those elements of god-likeness which constitute the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

It is not without significance in this connection that Paul admonishes us to let the peace of God rule in our hearts. We are surrounded by imperfections. They are manifest in our brethren as well as in the world. But we should not allow these to irritate us.

Our faith in God and in the rightness of his plans and purposes should enable us to enjoy the same peace of mind and heart. We should remember that he knows more about the imperfections of our brethren than we, yet he has called them to walk in the same narrow way with us and expects us to bear patiently with their imperfections, as we desire him to be patient with us when we fail to measure up to the perfect standard.

We may properly think of our “family” or “home” as embracing all the children of God, the “household of faith.” As members of this larger family we have a responsibility toward one another. Our righteousness is to be more than a mere toleration of their imperfections. Paul says that we are to have the “word of Christ” dwell in us richly, and are to teach and admonish one another.

We are not to admonish by finding fault and scolding, but with “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” And whatever we do for the brethren, whether in word or in deed, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, thankful for the honor of being a part of the divine family, and appreciating the privilege we have of laying down our lives for the brethren.

Paul writes that “wives” should submit themselves unto their husbands; that “husbands” should love their wives; that “children” should obey their parents; and that “fathers” should not provoke their children. He also mentions “servants,” saying that they should obey their masters in all things according to the flesh, and that “masters” should give unto their servants that which is just.

It is to be assumed that Paul, in each case, is referring to those who are consecrated—that is, consecrated wives, husbands, parents, children, masters, and servants. And we are to understand that his instructions apply even though other members of the family are not consecrated. True, the relationship is sweeter between husband and wife when both are consecrated, but even though one is not, the consecrated one should not fail to love the other and faithfully discharge all marital responsibilities. For example, for a wife to consecrate herself to the Lord and his service should make her a better wife, more kind, more understanding, more faithful and loving than before.

We do not have “masters” and “servants”—or “slaves”—today. The nearest is the relationship between employer and employee, but the principles set forth by Paul should apply. We are not to understand that Paul is approving slavery. He understood, however, as all followers of the Master should, that God has not commissioned Christians during this age to bring about reforms in the existing social order. This will be the future work of the church.

So far as our relationship to God, to Christ, and to one another as new creatures in Christ Jesus is concerned, we are all brethren, and one is our Master, even Christ. With God there is no respect of persons. In Paul’s day he esteemed the slave as being just as important in the body of Christ as the master, and Paul admonished the church to take this view also.

As our Golden Text points out, whatever we do, and whomsoever we serve, it is all to be done as unto the Lord. We are to look to him for our reward, and not to expect recognition or special favors from one another.

QUESTIONS

If charity begins at home, where does it end?

How is divine love manifested in the Christian life?

What is the peace of God?

Is the Christian’s family larger than his own immediate household?

Does consecration relieve one from responsibility toward an unconsecrated member of his family?

Is it our responsibility to try and change the social order in which we live?

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