[Biblemat] S) CHRIST AND THE HOME

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  Here is a study from my 
ancient files.  Use to the glory of God.

CHRIST AND THE HOME

       From a positive viewpoint this passage commands parents
to "bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord." (Eph. 6:1-4).  Unfortunately some parents have never lear-
ned that it is THEIR responsibility to bring up their children.  The
wold is full of parental slackers.  These duties have been shoved
off onto nearly every organization in the world -- including the
church.  I am persuaded  tht such organizations ought not to in-
fringe upon the responsibilities of parents.  According to Paul
in 1 Tim. 5:8-16 inability of the parents to care for their marks the
beginning place of the church in this particular.  Parents should
learn that the bringing of a child into this world involves the res-
ponsibility of bringing it up in the nurture and adomontion of the
Lord.  Parents need to learn what the Lord expects of them as
parents.

       Some are disposed to leave the rearing of their children to 
the community, schools, and such like.  True, these have a trem-
endous influence over our children, and we should exert every
effort possible to maintain the right influence, but even then it is
difficult.  Every citizen has a voice in the policies thereof, and not all of 
them are godly minded.  Whatever good they may do,
it will not supplant what God expects of you as in individual Christian 
parent.

       There are others who expect the church to relieve them of
their parental obligations.  Some expect the church to provide
social and recreational activities for their young.  We speak of
"the young people problem."  I am persuaded that the real prob-
lem is with the parents.  A few parental slackers together with a
few in the church with more zeal than knowledge can create a
situation that will result in the wrong attitude toward the church
on the part of our young people.  Brethren, it will be a sad day
for the church of our Lord when its success and value is meas-
ured by the social, recreational, and entertainment features there-of.  This 
is not just a matter of future possibility, or a threatening
danger in some localities.  It is a reality!  Remember, it is usually
caused by parental slackers and a willingness on the part of the
church to infringe upon the responsibility of the home.  I would
not be misunderstood here.  My heart is heavy with sympathy
for the young people as they brave the problems of this modern
day.  It is not easy.  Brethren, I am pleading that we open up our
homes to them, and make proper provisions for social activities
in their behalf.  Then our young will have not only a clear concep-
tion, but a deeper appreciation of both home and church.

       Parents are to bring their children up in the nurture and ad-
monition of the Lord.  Nurture carries the idea of training, pract-
ice, or experience.  Admonition means literally "a putting in mind".  Many 
train and instruct children in proper behavior, or in
the art of some vocation, and how to avoid the coming seducers
of the world in the realm of business, but many fail to train and
instruct in the Word of the Lord.

       Next we look at the responsibilities of children.  Time limit
forces me to only a brief observation of the beautiful passage in
Eph. 6:1-3.  Children need to learn what it means to "honor thy
father and mother."  Furthermore, this obligation continues even
after tehy have homes of their own.  I heard brother G.K. Wallace
at the Freed Hardeman lectures this year tell of a preacher mak-
ing five hundred dollars pr month, who had put his parents (or
one of them -- I do not remember) in a home for the aged.  Many
of these homes call upon the churches to support such.  I am
not acquainted with the particulars in this case, but if such be
true, I cannot blame him whtn he said he found it difficult to list-
en to such a man preach.  "But if any provide not for his own,
and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is 
worse than an infidel." (1 Tim. 5:8).

       What is worse than an infidel?  The answer is in the text.
Brethren, I am persuaded that transient beggars and tramps are
not the only ones preying as leeches upon the benevolent spirit
of the church of our Lord today!

       Men often substitute human arrangements for the divine.  However, my 
faith in the perfection of God's plan is strong enou-
gh to force me to the conclusion that no prize -- no good -- sought through 
the substitution of human arrangements, can
compensate for the evil done through a violation of the heavenly
pattern.

Blessings Of Such A Home: -- We must now turn our attention to
our final point of consideration, namely, the blessings of the home in and 
over which Christ the one Lord reigns supreme.
First, there is the blessing of mutual love which fills every nook
and corner of such home.  This love will provide for the greatest
possible cooperation and assistance on the part of all concern-
ed.  It will produce a feeling of security worth more than the poss-
ession of all the wealth of the world.  To be loved is to be want-
ed.  Who can measure the happiness of that child, husband or
wife, that is comforted by that secure wanted feeling?  This love
will also provide for that forbearance and charity which is often
needed as the saving quality of the home in hours of disturban-
ce--when internal problems threaten its future security.

       Second, there are the blessings derived from children in the
home.  These have long been recognized and extolled.  Look for 
a moment at these verses of Scripture:

       "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the
womb is his reward.  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man;
so are children of the youth.  Happy is the man that hath his quiv-
er full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak
with the enemies in the gate" (Psa. 127:3-5).

       "Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy 
children like olive plants round about thy table" (Psa.
128:3).  "Children's children are the crown of old men; and the
glory of children are their fathers" (Prov. 17:6).

       In these verses we have some of the most beautiful word 
pictures ever painted by the pen of inspiration.  Look at the migh-
ty hunter.  He fears no harm.  He feels secure.  He relies upon
his many arrows.  His quiver is full of them.  When our frame 
stoops low, hoary hairs bedeck our brow, and physical infirmity
handicaps our earning powers, we, too, may feel secure, fear no
harm, because we rely upon our children who are like the arrows of the mighty 
hunter.  What a blessing!  Even the bless-
ings of grandchildren are mentioned.  Who can measure the joy
in that realm?

       Unfortunately, in some homes children are unwanted.  Usual-ly they 
fear they will hinder their happiness.  However, it is well
that we remember that true happiness and selfishness do not
generally go hand in hand.  Someong has said, "Happiness is
such a gentle and tender flower that those who go forth to gath-
er it crush it as they seek to lay hold upon it."  This becomes
all the more apparent when we remember that the greater per-
centage of divorce comes from those homes which in selfish-ness have closed 
the doors to little children.

       But greatest of all such a home has a glorious destiny both 
for time and eternity.  For time it is destined to reproduce itself
in the homes of the children who go forth from the home to establish homes of 
their own.  What an influence in shaping the 
order of a better civilizaiton!

       For eternity such a home is destined for all the glories of the
eternal world.  Here the redeemed of all the ages will meet as
one happy family in one grand reunion around the great white
throne of the Almighty God.  Here the family circle will remain 
unbroken!  Here we will be home forever!  ----- Marshall E. Patton
in The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 7, May 1952.   </HTML>
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