Justice in the Family

GOLDEN TEXT: “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” —Philippians 2:4

EPHESIANS 5:21-31; 6:1-4; I TIMOTHY 5:8

MERELY the practice of justice in family relationships comes short of what would be experienced in an ideal family; particularly a Christian family, although the principle of justice cannot properly be ignored. Paul wrote, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your husbands, as unto the Lord.” (Eph. 5:22) The key to a proper understanding of this statement is the expression, “as unto the Lord.” The submission of a Christian to Jesus as Head, is more than the practice of justice. The Christian does this because he loves the Lord more than life itself, and could not be happy except in the state of full resignation to his will.

To this Paul adds, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” (vs. 25) Here is an all-consuming love which would lead the ideal Christian husband to give up life itself on behalf of his wife, even as Christ gave his life for us. Here, again, Christian conduct in the family should go beyond justice; although, obviously, not out of harmony with it.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord,” and parents, “provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Eph. 6:1,4) Here is a beautifully balanced admonition. Children should obey their parents, but they cannot be expected to do so if their parents, through injustices, provoke their children to wrath.

If children obey their parents because they are Christian parents, they have a right to expect that their parents will conduct themselves as Christians should. A father and mother who frequently display animosity toward each other, could not expect to have the respect and love of their children. Children will respect parents who set before them an example of true Christlikeness. They may not, upon maturity, choose to walk in the narrow way of sacrifice as did their parents, but they will always have respect for what their parents taught them.

Another aspect of justice in the family is mentioned by Paul in his letter to Timothy—“If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house [margin, “kindred”], he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (I Tim. 5:8) The instructions of the Lord are presented in such a way in his Word as to test the sincerity of his people. We have a good example of this by comparing this text with Jesus’ admonition, “Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? Your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”—Matt. 6:31-33

Obviously, if we literally followed these instructions of Jesus we would have nothing wherewith to provide for our own. On the other hand, we might become so engrossed in providing for our own that we would become lax in carrying out our vows of consecration and sacrifice. Christian sincerity would lead us to realize that Jesus meant not to take anxious thought about the material needs of life, such as food and clothing; and that Paul meant a reasonable provision should be made for those properly dependent upon us, not that we should devote our entire life to this one thing. This proper viewpoint would lead to spiritual balance.

Our Golden Text takes us beyond our natural family into the family of God; that family in which all consecrated Christians are children of God, with Jesus their elder brother. In this family there is certainly no question about the Father’s loving interest in and care for his children. Through his inspired Word he has provided them with all needed instructions.

“Look not every man on his own things,” Paul wrote. To be interested only in one’s “own things” would be the course of selfishness, self-interest. The following of such a course by any considerable portion of a congregation of professed Christians would result in bickering, strife, and ultimate chaos.

But how different is the situation when every person in a group “looks” “on the things of others,” that is, takes a genuine interest in the welfare of his brethren, and takes into consideration their viewpoints and wishes so far as they are consistent with the truth and its service!

QUESTIONS

Should conduct in a Christian home go beyond justice?

Explain Paul’s illustrations of the true Christian home life.

How should Christian parents win the confidence of their children?

What does Paul mean by providing for one’s own?

What family is referred to in our Golden Text?

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