Articles
“Are You Committed to Family? Joey Elms”
Categories: Are You Committed?
The idea of family changes daily. The Supreme Court recently changed how family may be defined by those of the world, however God had a plan. His plan was for one man to be married to one woman. Are you committed to family the way God intended?
Even from the beginning God created man in His likeness. He saw that man needed a helper so he created woman from man’s rib. From this God created the institution of marriage and the structure of the family with the man being the head of the house just as Christ is the head of the Church. Every member of the family has a role and responsibility to adhere to in order for the family to function as God has intended. If any member is not committed to their role it will strain the family as a whole and worldly concerns will take us away from Christ.
The NY Times published an article in 2013 stating that “the old fashioned family plan of stably married parents residing with their children remains a source of considerable power in America- but one that is increasingly seen as out of reach to all but the educated elite”. They back this up with a worldly reasoning claiming that to be happily married; a family must be able to afford it. Gods plan never placed any demands of income or status on us in order to be happy. Matthew 6:33 tells us to “Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these will be added to you.”
The directives that God has placed on the family, when committed to by each member, will make the family stronger. The man is commanded to be the head of the house. This means spiritually, financially, morally, and security. Joshua 24:15 shows the type of leadership a man of God is to live by. Every man of God must take a stance "that as for me and my house; we will serve the LORD," and not the world. This decision is not the role of the woman but the head of the house. This is not a halfhearted decision or one that can be delegated. Any organization with weak leadership is doomed and cannot stand.
The value of the woman to the family cannot be overstated. Proverbs 31 describes the “excellent wife” and how precious she is to her household. There is nothing wrong with a woman working outside the home but that should not be her primary focus. The worldly view is one that frowns upon a submissive wife. The scriptures command that a woman be submissive to her husband (Eph 5:24). This is not to belittle or degrade the woman but simply the design of how God intended the family to work.
If the parents have shown their commitment to be evident and sincere as stated above then the final piece of the family should have a considerable advantage in following God's plan. The children are to obey their parents and show respect. This starts with the husband/father being strong enough to not only lead but correct when necessary. If a child is allowed to be disobedient at a young age then they will only grow further from their commitment as a member of the family. The parent/child relationship is not to be mistaken as friendship, but rather as God intended it to be. One where the child is to obey and respect as explained in Colossians 3:20.
One constant that will always be a factor in our commitment to our families is first and foremost or commitment to God. Anyone struggling with their commitment to their family should first examine their relationship with Christ and our Father in Heaven. Your commitment to your family can only grow stronger as your commitment to God and his service is strengthened.
