Col 3:18-21
It is interesting to me that the Holy Spirit chose to drop into family life immediately after the Hardest Verse. Family life (and work life, coming up tomorrow) are where we spend the bulk of our time. Our family drives away from the assembly with us. Our family sees us when we come home from work or after a long day with never ending housework. Christ wants us to act and speak in His Name as we live with our family. That means that regardless how frustrated we are with our child or spouse, we are to realize that Christ needs to approve of what we say or do. Ouch! Even more frustration! That means I cannot put back on the anger and wrath I put off with my old self (Col 3:8). I have to show the compassion, kindness, patience and love that I put on (Col 3:12-14) with my new self. Sunday morning Christianity may be what others see, but the rest of your life is where your true Christian self is displayed. Live it today.
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
- How big of a role does Christ play in your family's daily life?
- How would your family's daily life differ if it did every thing and said every word in the Name of Christ?
- What must happen to a person's self-oriented nature to obey these verses?
- What are the limits of a wife's subjection to her husband?
- How can a wife know what is fitting in the Lord?
- Why is the husband told to love his wife?
- Why are children to be obedient to their parents?
- At what age should pleasing Christ become the reason for obedience?
- How can a father discourage his children?
It is interesting to me that the Holy Spirit chose to drop into family life immediately after the Hardest Verse. Family life (and work life, coming up tomorrow) are where we spend the bulk of our time. Our family drives away from the assembly with us. Our family sees us when we come home from work or after a long day with never ending housework. Christ wants us to act and speak in His Name as we live with our family. That means that regardless how frustrated we are with our child or spouse, we are to realize that Christ needs to approve of what we say or do. Ouch! Even more frustration! That means I cannot put back on the anger and wrath I put off with my old self (Col 3:8). I have to show the compassion, kindness, patience and love that I put on (Col 3:12-14) with my new self. Sunday morning Christianity may be what others see, but the rest of your life is where your true Christian self is displayed. Live it today.
No comments:
Post a Comment