Structure of a Christian Family

 Structure of a Christian Family

We find that most Christian families operate according to the systems of the world. The roles of the members of the family have shifted from that prescribed in the Scriptures. Consequently, there are square pegs in round holes! Instead of experiencing the joy in fulfilling GOD's purpose, the family members are stressed, and there is strife in Christian homes. 

 And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; 

I will make him a helper comparable to him." 

Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field 

and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam 

to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called 

each living creature, that was its name. So Adam gave names to all cattle, 

to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. 

But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. 

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; 

and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 

Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man 

He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 

And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; 

She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." 

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, 

the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Genesis 2:18-25

Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; 

Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. 

It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep. 

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, 

The fruit of the womb is a reward. 

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, 

So are the children of one's youth. 

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; 

They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

Psalm 127:1-5

Many women are in secular careers and are kept busy in offices. Thus their homes and families are neglected. The husbands have wives who are not there to play the role of a wife. The children have mothers who are busy at work and have no time to spend with them. Most kids are put into childcare centres throughout the day. They grow up without receiving much love, guidance and security from their parents. 

Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways. 

When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, 

and it shall be well with you. 

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, 

Your children like olive plants All around your table. 

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the Lord. 

The Lord bless you out of Zion, 

And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life. 

Yes, may you see your children's children. 

Peace be upon Israel!
Psalm 128:1-6

 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. 

he heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. 

She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:10-12


Strength and honor are her clothing; 

She shall rejoice in time to come. 

She opens her mouth with wisdom, 

And on her tongue is the law of kindness. 

She watches over the ways of her household, 

And does not eat the bread of idleness. 

Her children rise up and call her blessed; 

Her husband also, and he praises her:
Proverbs 31:25-28

Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, 

that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, 

may be won by the conduct of their wives, 

when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 

Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, 

wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-- 

rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, 

with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, 

which is very precious in the sight of God. 

For in this manner, in former times, the holy women 

who trusted in God also adorned themselves, 

being submissive to their own husbands, 

as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are 

if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. 

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, 

giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, 

and as being heirs together of the grace of life, 

that your prayers may not be hindered. Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, 

be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, 

but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, 

that you may inherit a blessing.

1 Peter 3:1-9

 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 

"Honor your father and mother," 

which is the first commandment with promise: 

"that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." 

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, 

but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:1-4

if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, 

having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 

 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, 

not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 

 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy,

self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, 

that he may be able, by sound doctrine, 

both to exhort and convict those who contradict.
Titus 1:6-9

 The wise woman builds her house, 

But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

Proverbs 14:1

The home of a Christian should have an atmosphere of peace and joy as the members of the family love one another as our LORD JESUS Himself commanded. The LORD loves us selflessly. Such should be our love for others!  

 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
John 15:12


 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, 

and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; 

even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, 

to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 

Let the word of Christ 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 to the Lord.
Colossians 3:12-16

Rather than fancy wall hangings, let the word of GOD be portrayed on our walls. Let priority be placed on studying and obeying the word. Let there be personal and family prayer and let JESUS be made comfortable in our homes! Let us not displease Him in any way by anger and strife nor dishonour Him by living according to worldly standards and placing our trust in the systems of this world.

Let praises arise from our hearts and voices and the music systems in our homes!

Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; 

By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.
Proverbs 24:3-4

Spiritual Warfare - 6

Taking my stand with people


Not only are we the light of the world but also the salt of the earth. It is therefore important for us to identify ourselves with and relate to people.

 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
Romans 12:3-5 (NKJV)

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;   Romans 12:10 (NKJV)
 
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.  Romans 12:15-16 (NKJV)

Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.  Hebrews 13:3 (NKJV)

We are asked to take our position in the structure of authority set in the scriptures. Although a structure of authority is set, we have to honor and respect each individual and quit oppressing anyone who is under our authority.

submitting to one another in the fear of God. 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  Ephesians 5:21-22 (NKJV) 

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  Ephesians 6:1 (NKJV)

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.  Ephesians 6:4 (NKJV)

Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;  Ephesians 6:5 (NKJV)

And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.  Ephesians 6:9 (NKJV)

Practical steps to humble myself with people:-

Look for something common to identify myself with them and relate to them.
Acknowledge and commend the good things in others.
Live simply, eat simply, and dress simply. Associate with simple people as attitudes are usually contagious. When dealing with the proud, beware not to ‘catch’ their pride!
Look for opportunities to serve others even with menial tasks.

GOD has set a boundary around each individual and says, “No Trespassing!” We are instructed to submit to one another in the fear of God. Remember, God alone is to be worshiped. He alone demands our absolute submission and obedience without any questioning. This is because God alone is perfect in Himself, in His character, in His attitudes and in His motives.

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.  1 Peter 2:13-14 (NKJV)

Spiritual Warfare - 5

Taking my stand with GOD


Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  Ephesians 6:10-17 (NKJV)

Once we find our position in the Lord, the enemy will do his part to oust us from this position. Therefore we are exhorted to stand, withstand stand and stand!

1. I stand in this position of submission to the Holy Spirit, overcoming my flesh, pleasing Him and not my selfish lusts.

Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.   1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (NKJV)

2. Following JESUS and not overtaking Him.

 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”   Matthew 16:21-23 (NKJV)

It is Satan who tries to put us ahead of GOD. In that position, not only are we in danger but we are also a hindrance to the work of GOD.

 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.    Matthew 10:38 (NKJV)

3. Fearing GOD and not Satan or man.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.   Matthew 10:28 (NKJV)

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.   1 John 4:4 (NKJV)

We need to understand that Satan can only touch us as and when GOD permits.

 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 7 And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” 8 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” 9 So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” 12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.   Job 1:6-12 (NKJV)

 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.   Luke 22:31 (NKJV)