The Home (Part II)
by Micky Galloway
The word “home” is one of the most pleasant words to the human vocabulary. What constitutes a good home? Certainly not brick, mortar, wood and glass. There have been good homes in tents, even mud huts. Perhaps we place too much emphasis upon a material house. Unfortunately, there are many people living in nice houses who do not have good homes.
A good home begins with a commitment. Commitment to God who instituted marriage is essential to the establishment of a good home. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” A good home must begin with a clear understanding of the permanency of marriage. Marriage is for life and should not be entered without serious thought. God hates divorce (Malachi 2:15-16) and allows only one exception, i.e. the innocent one may put away their companion who is guilty of fornication. Then and only then can the innocent one remarry without sin. “But I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery.” “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery.” (Matthew 5:32; 19:9). Marriages fail when there is a lack of Bible teaching on this subject or a lack of respect for God and His word. We must respect God and His law governing marriage if we want a good home.
For a good home to exist both parents must be Christians. This is more than just wearing the name, it means being the person the name suggests… Christ in you. It is a neglect of responsibility to children to deprive them of this blessing. It may be necessary to deprive them of toys, luxuries, or advanced education, but don't deprive them of a godly mother or father. Young people, marry someone who wants to go to heaven more than anything else! They will help you have a happy home. Convert your friend before you marry. Unfortunately, many homes are wreaked with heartache because both parents are not united in spiritual things for themselves or for their children. This constant division will destroy the souls of our children.
A good home has a husband or father who is the head of his household. Ephesians 5:23 says, “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church.” Verse 33 says, “Nevertheless do ye also severally love each one his own wife even as himself; and (let) the wife (see) that she fear her husband.” The husband is not to be a figurehead or a puppet, but the head. This does not mean he is a brut or authoritarian ruler (cf. I Peter 3:7). He is to love his wife and honor and cherish her as he loves his own body. In this he teaches his children much about marriage. A good home is one where the wife and mother is the "queen." She is described as the "keeper at home" (Titus 2:5). A good father sets the example of faithfulness to the Lord. Indifference toward spiritual things will be seen by our children and will become a discouragement to the whole family.
A good home is a home where parents recognize and fulfill their God given responsibility to "train" their children. Ephesians 6:4 says, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord.” This means spending time with our children in Bible study and prayer as well as living a proper life before them. For those who do not have children yet, it is good preparation to spend time daily with your companion reading and studying God’s word. In spending time with our children it is important that we consider proper recreation for them in the home. This is not the responsibility of the church. Many parents do not know who their children's friends are or where their children are. Let's take advantage of the opportunity while it is ours to direct them in wholesome recreation.
A good home is a home where children are taught to obey. "Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right" (Ephesians 6:1). "Harken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old" (Proverbs 23:22). Children are a blessing to parents who will assume the responsibility of teaching them to obey.
These characteristics yield cooperation, harmony, peace, joy and love. Bickering, arguing, strife, bitterness, does not exist in a godly home. Is your home a godly home? Or are you keeping it from being one? What do you need to change? Will you accept the challenge that you might please the Lord and reap the benefits of a happy home?