A Christian Household

18Let every wife be supportive and tenderly devoted to her husband, for this is a beautiful illustration of our devotion to Christ. 19Let every husband be filled with cherishing love for his wife and never be insensitive toward her. 20Let the children respect and pay attention to their parents in everything for this pleases our Lord Jesus.

A Christian Household involves mutual submission. For a wife this means willingly following her husband's leadership in Jesus. For the husbands, this means putting aside his own interests in order to care for his wife. When both husband and wife follow Christ and live like Christ submission to one another this strengthens a relationship and bring spiritual harmony within the home. Together the two create a one-ness, neither has become a tyrant nor a doormat to be walked on. Instead, they create marital bliss, and satisfaction when they desire to devote themselves to the overall good for one another. Men are called to be the head of the household. When a man is first submitted to God, he leads by the Holy- Spirit making decisions that align with God's word, and God's character. This should include caring for her, as he cares for his own self. When a woman submits to her husband out of reverence for Christ Jesus, she is displaying honor and respect towards her earthly King as unto the Lord. Submission is when we put our own desires to the side and begin to live a life serving one another with care. The life of Jesus displays a bridegroom, who cares for his bride (the church) through serving which requires sacrifice. May our lives be an offering of worship to God as we demonstrate his love for another.

[Read Ephesians 5 for context- " 21And out of your reverence for Christ be supportive of each other in love.  22For wives, this means being devoted  to your husbands like you are tenderly devoted to our Lord,  23for the husband provides leadership for the wife, just as Christ provides leadership for his church, as the Savior and Reviver  of the body.  24In the same way the church is devoted to Christ, let the wives be devoted to their husbands in everything."]

As wives, we should display support towards our spouse. For we have been created to become each other's helpmate. A suitable helpmate serves and builds up. We can provide unconditional love, infused by grace towards our spouse. When we display virtues, we are creating an atmosphere of glory on earth. Devote yourself to become a servant in your marriage and in your home. Choose to labor in love for those God placed around you. To be like Christ in our relationships and in our family, is to bring the Kingdom of heaven here on earth. Through a holy marriage, children develop recognition of what is good. This develops a standard of morals, and values our children need before they enter into the world outside the home. Our home should create a sacred refuge for each member of the family. This world we live in is evil in all its ways, and we must become intentional to make our homes safe havens that contain the presence of God. God abides where he is welcomed. God looks for a holy habitation he can dwell.

Have you dedicated your home to the Lord?

have you dedicated your marriage to the Lord? 

have you dedicated your family to the Lord?

I encourage you to take Colossians 3:12-17, and apply it to your life. Ask God to help you.

" 12You are always and dearly loved by God! So robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others. 13Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them. 14For love is supreme and must flow through each of these virtues. Love becomes the mark  of true maturity. 

15Let your heart be always guided  by the peace of the Anointed One, who called you to peace as part of his one body. And always be thankful.

16Let the word of Christ live  in you richly, flooding you with all wisdom. Apply the Scriptures as you teach and instruct one another with the Psalms, and with festive praises,  and with prophetic songs given to you spontaneously by the Spirit, so sing to God with all your hearts! "

Reflection:

What virtues need to be developed, that would bring forth a holy home?

Forgiveness?

Grace?

Kindness?

Patience?

Devotion?

Submission?

Meekness?

Compassion?