The Christian Home — Modeled After God’s Will
Colossians 3:18–21 “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19) Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. 20) Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. 21) Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
If we take the time to consider what the Bible says about marriage and the creation of man and woman, one of the most compelling conclusions is that marriage is an idea originated by, and therefore defined by, God. The disregard or de-emphasis of this fact is one of the most vexing problems in modern society. Many of the problems now common, and growing, in our culture stem from Satan’s success in undermining God’s definition and expectations for the family.
Upon examination, passages such as Genesis 2:18–25, Ephesians 5:22–33, Matthew 19:4–8, and Romans 7:1–4 help us understand God’s intentions regarding both human commitments and the expected permanence of the marriage relationship. And while this is not an article on how Scripture defines marriage, we cannot discuss the concept of a Christian home without such conversation. The Christian home is also not a topic that can be covered in 400–500 words, the average length of a bulletin article. In fact, building a Christian home is a lifelong pursuit that begins with godly parents demonstrating and then teaching children what a sound marriage looks like.
As Christians, we should never lose sight of the fact that the home is one of God’s greatest institutions. It is within the family that faith is first demonstrated, character is shaped, and future generations learn to honor and serve the Lord. While the pressures of modern culture continue to challenge God’s design, His Word remains the unchanging guide for husbands, wives, parents, and children.
Building a Christian home requires commitment, patience, sacrifice, and a willingness to place God’s will above personal desires. For the home to be successful, this dedication should also lead us to aggressively disregard the negative influences in the world around us. No family will be perfect, but every family can strive to grow closer to God and to one another.
When homes are built upon biblical principles and centered on Christ, they become a source of strength, stability, and spiritual influence in a world that desperately needs godly examples. The Christian home is not merely a place where believers live; it is a place where God is honored, and His truth is lived each day.
—Martin Kent Miller