The Christian Home

by Hope, A. M. | Category: Christian Standards | May 1973

Is it our aim to keep the standard of home-life worthy of the gospel of Christ? Let us then visit some delightful homes where we can meet brethren and sisters whose Christlike lives should inspire us. We

Go First to Bethany

It is clear that the Master often visited Martha's home in Bethany for He had a special affection for the family (John 11:5). The two sisters had entirely. different temperaments Mary reflected quietness when she sat and listened to the

Master's words, while Martha, all activity, was busy with her pots and pans preparing a meal worthy of their Guest.

Go to Bethany then to learn the secret of spiritual growth. Mary sat at the Lord's feet (Luke 10:39). Later Mary, in an act of personal devotion to the Lord, anointed those feet with her precious spikenard. Martha showed her love in service for Him but this was balanced by Mary's service to Him. There is much we can do for Him: much we can give to Him. Martha and Mary can certainly teach us the secret of devotion to Christ.

The Tentmakers Home

Next we will visit Aquila and Priscilla who welcomed Paul into their home. This godly couple were deeply involved in the work of the assembly in Corinth. Then they moved to Ephesus and it stands to their credit that they grasped enough of the truth of God to explain it fully to Apollos, a man mighty in the Scriptures. It would seem from Acts 18:26 that Priscilla played her part in this ministry at home. Later they returned to Rome where their house was a meeting place for the church and such was their devotion to Paul that in some way they risked their lives on his behalf (Rom. 16:3-5).

What can we learn from Priscilla and Aquila? They leave behind them the example of a home being used to reach believers with the truth of God. It is true that many children of God today are reluctant to learn, but there must be some of the stature of Appollos who are seeking to know about the

Way. Where better could they learn than in the homes of brethren and sisters who are able to instruct them?

Beneficent Dorcas (Acts 9:36-43)

Dorcas is an example of a sister with a deep concern for the poor and needy. She was a woman full of good works and almsdeeds who endeared herself to the widows in Joppa by providing them with coats and garments. There is something very practical about the work of Dorcas. Her sphere was helping others. This is something in which we can all share. It is interesting to note that the principles of giving to the poor and needy were stated by the Lord in Matt. 6:1-4.

Hospitable Gaius

Gaius was a common name in Roman times; so that Acts 19:29, 20:4, Rom. 16:23 and 1 Cor. 1:14 do not necessarily refer to the same person. However, we are introduced to the home of a brother of this name in the opening verses of John's third epistle. This brother was given to hospitality and such is the importance of this work that he is regarded as a fellowworker with the truth. The scope of this brother's hospitality extended towards both brethren and strangers and we get a picture of him helping the Lord's servants. Their service and that of Gaius was done for the sake of the Name.

For our encouragement it should be carefully noted that pursuing hospitality is a gift (Rom. 12:13 and 1 Pet. 4:9,10) and when shown without murmuring such kindnesses will not go unrewarded.

There is a difference between true hospitality and mere socializing. This is brought out in the story of the dinner as told by the Lord in Luke 14:12-14. Here is hospitality indeed! Call not thy friends. Why? Because they will repay you by asking you back. Kindness towards those who are in need, who are unable to repay, is true hospitality and in showing this we will be both blessed and recompensed. We may also have the joy of entertaining angels unawares as did Abraham (see Heb. 13:2 and Gen. 18:3).

Other Examples

Pause for a moment at the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark (see Acts 12). Her home held a prayer meeting and one night many in the assembly in Jerusalem gathered to pray earnestly for Peter's release from prison. God answered their prayer in a miraculous way. A home used for prayer which brought blessing to God's people!

Now pause at Lydia's home and remember that she was the first in Macedonia to be reached by the gospel of Christ (Acts 16). Lydia was faithful to the Lord, and Paul and Silas lodged in her house. A home used as a base for the preaching of the gospel!

We do not know much about the household of Stephanas apart from the fact that they were the first to be reached in Achaia. Perhaps we will learn some day of what was meant by setting themselves "to minister unto the saints" (1 Cor. 16:15). A home used in service among God's people!

Philemon was a rich, Christian master who had at least one slave called Onesimus. His house was a meeting place of the assembly at Colossae. Paul's letter to Philemon shows clearly that this Christian master had learned that he also had a Master in heaven. He was a man whose ministry was refreshing and who showed a forgiving spirit towards Onesimus, his runaway slave. A home where love prevailed! (Philemon verses).

Lois... Eunice... Timothy

All of us know, many of us with a sense of failure, the words of Proverbs 22:6 (RVM), "Train up a child according to his way" and this surely indicates that the "way" is not the same for every child. Children have different temperaments, different aptitudes and will fulfil different functions in life. Parents must be aware of these differences and act as they see fit. They do have a God-given authority to rear their family in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Even Abraham was commended for this (Gen. 18:19). If we fail here the words of Proverbs 29:15 will apply, "A child left to himself causeth shame to his mother".

The father, as head of the house, has ultimate responsibility for the upbringing of his family but this in no way minimizes the part played by his wife (see 1 Cor. 11:3).

What better could we do than to follow the upbringing of Timothy - the man to whom Paul committed "the good deposit" of the faith: a man with a clear grasp of Scripture who had reached spiritual maturity?

What can we learn about his home? Lois, his grandmother, implanted her unfeigned faith into Eunice, his mother who, it seems, in turn, led Timothy to faith in the Saviour (2 Tim. 1:5 and 3:14,15). Some are of the view that Timothy was saved during Paul's first missionary journey, hence his reference to "My beloved child". Even if this is so it in no way belittles the part played by his mother.

Our aim should be not only to pass on scriptural knowledge, but as in Timothy's case, that which answers to unfeigned faith.

Mothers - Look to Yourselves (2 John 8)

Take time to read the only epistle in the Bible which is addressed specifically to a Christian mother. The short letter of 2nd John is really an exhortation to you not to give up but to continue in the truth.

Let us go through this letter together:

Verse 4:If your children are walking in the truth, rejoice! By keeping His commandments they are showing their love to Christ.

Verses 5-7:"Love one another". This is the message from the

Upper Room. It is the second commandment (and the eleventh) and love is the vital relationship underlining our lives at home and in the assembly.

Verses 8,9:"Look to yourselves". Everything will not be plain

sailing, but hold on to what you have and go forward, abiding in the teaching of Christ.

Verses 10,11:Here is a clear warning as to our attitude towards

those who are actively opposed to the teaching of Christ. "Receive him not into your house and give him no greeting". A firm stand must be taken against having fellowship and showing hospitality to all who would seek to destroy what we know to be the truth. We only need to read again 2 Peter 2 to see the seriousness of wrong teaching and where it can lead us.

Guide-lines for the Family

There are some plain words spoken to all who are in a Christian home and we should look up the verses in Ephesians 5 and 6, Colossians 3 and 4, Titus 2 and 1 John 2. Nobody is missed. We extract a few words relating to each member of the family.

A husband is not to be bitter against his wife.

An elderly brother should be healthy in the faith.

A young man should be strong with the word of God abiding in him.

A father must not discourage his children.

It is right for a child to obey his parents in all things and in this children should keep before them the example of the Boy from Nazareth who was subject to His parents.

A wife should be subject to her husband as is fitting in the Lord.

An elderly sister should set an example to the younger women.

A Straight Way

We are all deeply conscious of the problems facing families in the present day, many of which are brought about by increased materialism and declining moral standards. In times such as these we need to pause as Ezra did with a remnant of God's people returning to Zion;

"THAT WE MIGHT HUMBLE OURSELVES BEFORE OUR

GOD, TO SEEK OF HIM A STRAIGHT WAY, FOR US.

AND FOR OUR LIULE ONES AND FOR ALL OUR

SUBSTANCE" (Ezra 8:21).

This would surely help us to reach in our homes a standard worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Hope, A. M. | May 1973
Christian Standards