Christianity in the Home
Christianity in the Home CHRISTIANITY IN THE HOME
By Eldon A. Sanders
Introduction
During these days of trouble, doubt, war,' destruction, and suffering, there is surely not a subject in which we should be more interested. We have seen France, a world power, fall due to the disintegration of the home which preceded her defeat upon the field of battle. We may see America fall unless we revive an abiding interest in the home and build it as the structural unit of this nation.
We should be vitally interested in Christianity in the home: First, as Americans, because our democratic way of life and our government which is “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” depend upon the Christian home in order that it “may never perish from the earth,” and that the stars and stripes may “Forever wave o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” Secondly, as lovers of liberty, because of the security of the four freedoms, viz., freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom from want and fear, depends upon the Christian home, the birthplace of freedom. Thirdly, as Christians, because the church depends upon the Christian home to serve as a training of the youth of today, the church of tomorrow.
Although Christianity and the home are different in-stitutions, when they become “two in one” the result is a Christian home. Therefore, we shall devote our study to Christianity, the. home, and Christianity in the home.
Christianity
Christianity is that system of religion or righteousness conceived in the mind of Cod, “For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). The Son of God set forth the essence of Christian religion in the Sermon on the Mount wherein he emphasized purity of heart and the necessity of righteousness and concluded in these words: “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the lain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon the house; and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock. And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth. them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand; And the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon the house; and it fell; and great was the fall of it” (Matthew 7:24-27). The Holy Spirit revealed this system of righteousness through the instrumentality of the gospel. “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of the world is judged. I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (John 16:7-13). “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is revealed the righteousness of God from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:16-17). The apostles and the disciples planted and propagated Christianity according to the command of Christ in the Great Commission. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19-20). Being guided by the Holy Spirit, the apostles began .their work in Jerusalem on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ, and continued this work until they spread the gospel throughout the world.
Christianity has been perpetuated by the church, the institution which Jesus founded and purchased with his blood, that it might be “The pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). “Holding forth the word of life” (Php_2:6),
Christianity is founded upon three fundamental, principles: faith, “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1) to make man strong that he might be pleasing to God and victorious over sin; hope, to cheer man lest he be overcome by the weariness of life and the fear of death; love, that man may sustain the proper relationship between his Creator and his fellowman. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. The second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matthew 22:37-38).
Christianity is a way of life, a manner of living, in-cluding the highest type of moral conduct known to man of every race in every walk of life. In order for a man to live according to this new way or manner of life, he must be a new creature. “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). He must have holy ambitions and affections, mortify the deeds of the flesh, and adorn himself with Christian graces according to Paul’s resume of this way: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on: the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members 'which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evd concupisence, and coveteousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh in the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked sometime, blasphemy, filthy com-munication out of >our mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds. And have put on the new man, which is renewed m knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you so also do ye. And above all things put on love which is the bond of perfectness, And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:1-17).
Yet some individuals maintain that Christianity as a standard of living has failed and that we need a new standard. In answer to this charge it may be said: “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.”
Christianity offers riches which are unsearchable, advantages which are incalculable, and privileges which bring joy beyond measure. Paul made reference to the unsearchable riches of Christ and to the riches of his grace: “Unto me, who am the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gen-tiles, the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8). “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
Someone has set forth the advantages and privileges of Christianity as follows: “The obligations which the world is under to Christianity never can be fully known. As the riches of Christ are unsearchable, so the advantages of Christianity are incalculable. The poor and the weak are peculiarly benefitted by the protection and assistance it affords them. Its foundation is laid deep—at the bottom of the heart. While other systems only regard the outward forms and acts of life, this regards the motive—inward thought. While other systems seek to sweeten the streams, this changes the fountain and purifies all the streams at once. Who can compare the advantages secured and the privileges enjoyed in Christian lands, and fail to thank God that he is so highly favored in his lot? Who would not dwell in a Christian country? Who would not be a Christian? Were less attention paid to the mint and anise and cummin, the more to judgement and mercy and the love of God, it would be favorable to the cause of Christianity and better for those who are designed to be benefitted by its holy principles.
Christianity is not a system of religion for the ascetic, but it sets forth principles which are applicable by man in every walk and relationship of life. To citizens, Paul said: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained by God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil” (Romans 13:1-3). To business men, Paul said: “Servants, (employees), obey in all thing's your masters (employers) according to the flesh; not with eyesight, as menpleasers; but m singleness of heart, feanng God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unio men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:22-24) “Masters, (employers) give unto your servants (employees) that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven” (Colossians 4:1). To man in regard to his social relationship, Christianity offers many suggestions, admonitions and examples. However, in this lesson we shall study Christianity as it pertains to the home. The Home
Tn the beginning after God had created the heavens and the earth and all things therein, he said: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1-26). So God created man in his own image and placed him where he was surrounded by the beauty and grandeur of the Garden of Eden. God said that “it is not good that man should be alone; I will make a helpmeet for him” (Genesis 2:18). “And the lord God, caused a deep sleep tp fall upon Adam, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh thereof: and the rib which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she was called Woman because she was taken out of man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:2 T23). Thus we have the origin of the home, the first institution ordained by God. In order to perpetuate this institution, God ordained two things, marriage and birth. By the marriage rela-tionship, God’s laws may operate for the replenishing of the earth. “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis 1:28).
Today, many are not considering the marriage rela-tionship with deep concern and are entering into it without due consideration of the problems associated with it. Even in regard to the marriage relationship, it may be said: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” An individual should consider seriously the physical, mental, and especially the spiritual characteristics of the one with whom he plans to enter the marriage relationship. Because a Christian should “be not unequally yoked together with an unbeliever” (2 Corinthians 6:14). He should also remember that the disintegrated home results in a disintegrated nation and a disrupted church. A young man should select a young lady to be his wife who will make a great mother. Someone has said: “One good mother is worth a hundred school masters.” Napoleon said: “The great need of France to day is more good mothers.” Abraham Lincoln said: “All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” God has paid tribute to a worthy mother: “Her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust m her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her bfe. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom: and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up and called her blessed: her husband also, and he praisech her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellent them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised” (Proverbs 31)
Great men have had great mothers almost without exception: Moses was trained by his mother and he, although reared amidst the pleasures and temptations of a king’s palace, became the deliverer of God’s people. Samuel, the priest-judge, was dedicated to the Lord by his mother when he was only a child. Timothy, Paul’s son in the gospel, from a child had known the holy scriptures because he had been taught them by his mother Eunice and grandmother, Lois. A young woman should select a young man who will be a faithful husband and an honourable father in order to have cooperation in the home for the discharg ing of her duties so that her influence for righteousness w ill not be conteracted by the unfaithfulness and ungodliness of her husband. She should be able to say of him as God said of Abraham: “For I know turn, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the wTay of the. Lord to do justice and judgment” (Genesis 18:19).
Jesus’ estimate of the importance of the home has been set forth by a leading authority: “Ordinarily Je sus had little to say about institutions. ... In only one case did he depart from the usual rule. That exception was the family. With all the vehemence of deep conviction he sought to safeguard the family There were many reasons why he gave this institution a central place in his teaching. In so doing he was bui following the example of the earlier prophets, priests and sages of his race. Through all the centuries the chief glory of Judaism has been the family life. Israel’s entire social structure was buUt upon this institution as its chief cornerstone. Jesus recognized that, if this was imperfect or insecure, no stable social order could be established.” For the budding of the home of the highest type Christianity is as essential as hydrogen is essential for the making of water. Each may not have a beautiful home nor even a comfortable house in which to live, but each can have a part in the building of a Christian home.
Christianity in The Home Christianity teaches that the relationship of the members of the family should be based upon love and righteousness. Concerning the relationship of the husband to the wife: “Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them” (Colossians 3:19). “Likewise, ye weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life” (1 Peter 3:7). Paul also teaches concerning the relationship of the wife to the husband: “That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands” (Titus 2:4). “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22). “And the wife see that she reverence her husband” (Ephesians 5:33). Parents are taught to bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Parents by precept and example should train their children in righteousness for according to Solomon, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). The children are also taught to obey their parents. “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing to the Lord” (Colossians 3:20). “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right” (Ephesians 6:1).
Christianity protects the home, within and without, from foes which would destroy the home and break every! tie that binds the hearts of the family into one sweet and blessed union. It protects the home from di-vorce, one of the greatest enemies in eveiy age. Jesus said: “It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement; But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery” (Matthew 5:31-32). Speaking again to strengthen the union in the home, Jesus said: “What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder” (Matthew 1 S:15). Yet this nation is leading the civilized world in divorces just because Christianity is not practiced m every home. During the last fifty years the divorce rate has trebled and is still increasing more rapidly than the pop Nation. For the sake of the child, give Christianity a chance to defeat this foe in order that he may enjoy the fellowship and blessings of a Christian home and be happy.
Other enemies from which Christianity protects the home are Communism and Nazism. Communists advocate “free love” and declare themselves against the Christian home and marriage. The Communistic Manifesto says: “Abolition of the family! Introduction, in substitution thereof, an open legalized com-munity of women.” The Nazis found it necessary to replace the principles of Christianity in the home by a form of paganism and hero worship in order to bring the youth of Germany under their control to usher in the present era of war and destruction.
Also the home is protected by Christianity from such evils as envy, ingratitude, avarice, slothfulness, dis-obedience, extravagance, unfaithfulness and hyprocisy.
Christianity develops wholesome personalities and strong characters in the home. A perfect example was set by Christ who “was subject unto his parents,” and “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Peter has well described the process of character and development which will produce Christian character. “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virture knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love” (2 Peter 1:5-7). These traits also suggest Old Testament characters which are worthy of our study and emulation as Joseph, Abraham, Ruth, Solomon, Daniel, Job, and Moses. The Catholics have said: “Give me your child till he is ten years old, and you may have him; but. he will be. a Catholic as long as he lives.” This statement merely sets forth the truth in regard to the formative period of youth, the period for the laying of a foundation for character. During this period the parent yields the greatest influence over the child as the child learns more during the first five years than any ten year period thereafter. Therefore ’t behooves parents to use the best system of character developmnt, viz., Christianity to train youth: “To develop a standard of honor; to make word as good as bond; to face criticism and injustice; to do what is right; never to let wealth or power influence from the path of duty; to build into life principles of dependability, love, vision, frank ness, loyalty, and humility.”
Christianity teaches the members of the family to reverence God’s-word. As Moses commanded Israel, so should parents be commanded today to plant the word of God in the hearts of their children while they are young, receptive, and pliable. “Hear, 0 Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all th
Therefore, I urge parents to impart to youth in the home the word of God because it “contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers. Its histories are true, its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, and its decisions are immutable. ... It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the sailor’s compass, the soldier’s sword and the Christian’s charter. Here paradise is restored, heaven is opened, and the gates of hell are disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. ... It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be open at the judgment, and be remembered forever, it involves the.highest responsibility,, rewards the greatest labor, and condemns all who trifle with its* holy contents.” Thus the child who has been properly taught the word of God, when he is ready to depart from the home to go into the world, will be prepared to face and to overcome the difficulties of life. God’s word will give him strength that he might be “strong in the Lord” and it will be a “lamp unto his feet and a light unto his pathway,” (Psalms 119:105) to guide him safely in the way of righteousness.
Conclusion
Christianity is the hope of the home, and the hope of the home is Christianity. Therefore, let us consider the home as an institution ordained of God wherein we may teach and- practice the principles of Christianity.
Parents taking advantage of this opporunity will make the greatest investment of life, a treasure in heaven; will paint upon the canvas of the soul of the child a beautiful picture, the Christian ideal; will sculptor a masterpiece of the heart of youth, the image of Christ; will build character of the child’s immortal soul which will stand, not only for the time but for eternity, upon a firm foundation, the Rock of Ages.
Christianity in the home will make of it a haven of rest wherein we may enjoy some of the realities of that eternal home which Jesus has gone to prepare for the redeemed. To it, father may return at the close of the day to be renewed in body and mind in order to discharge more efficiently the tasks of life as he serves his fellowman and worships his God. In it, mother may labor with love, patience, and hope, so that in time to come “her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her” (Proverbs 31:28). From it, the children will go with the principles of Christianity indelibly written upon their hearts to be as shining lights in a world of darkness, serving their fellow- man in righteousness and glorifying God in the beauty of holiness.
Christianity in the home will make it one of the sweetest and dearest places on earth to every member of the family and each can truthfully and sincerely say:
“ ‘Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,
Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home;
A charm from the skies seems to hallow us there,
Which sought thru the world is ne’er met with elsewhere.
An exile from home splendour dazzles in vain,
Oh, give me my lowly thatched cottage again;
The birds singing gayly, that came at my call,
Give me them, and that peace of mind dearer than all”