Our society has for a long time been at odds with God’s will concerning the home. Man has long shown willfulness before his Creator. This willfulness has led him to think his own preferences, his own ideas to be superior to God’s. In our own lifetimes there has been a big change. Divorce has become rampant. Radical feminism has changed views regarding the roles that husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, are to have in their familial relationships. Economic pressures have made it difficult to maintain the Bible model of the family. Children are more likely to be given what they want rather than what they need. Worship and fellowship has become the exception rather than the rule. Marriage is passé to many. Sexual promiscuity both premarital and extra-marital is ubiquitous. Even the participants in the marital relationship has been altered in our times to be inclusive of same sex unions.
While this is not surprising, noting the antagonism that men have consistently shown to God and His will throughout history, as Christians we must be sure that simple truths and commands in scripture be accepted by us, rather than questioned. Remember, “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19). He far surpasses us. It is preposterous to change what He has designed. With this in mind, consider these simple scriptures.
God’s Institution of the Home
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24).
Jesus Commentary on God’s Institution of the Home
“And He answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:4-6).
Paul’s Explanations of Each Role in the Home
“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged” (Colossians 3:18-21).
The intent and instructions from God are clear. God is much wiser than men, and the Preeminent One in the universe. It is not our place to amend or disregard His way. He is our Creator. In His omnipotence, His infinite wisdom, He knows best. Trust God, and may your home prosper!
