Male, and, Female, exist to complement one another; from their physical attributes, all the way to the spirit! *GOD* CREATED Men, and, Women, FOR one another, for many reasons, each of which, are sound, and, practical, FOR HIS WILL to be fulfilled, and, TO HIS GLORY! A Family who has strong LOVE, *GOD*, and, virtues, GLORIFIES *GOD*, day, and, night, for they exemplify HIS WILL, and, WAYS!!!
The Family, from THE OLD TESTAMENT, to THE NEW TESTAMENT, was changed, in various ways; one of which is, CHRIST JESUS told the people of THE NEW TESTAMENT, NO DIVORCE!!! In Matthew, Jesus said, “call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9). The focus of family structure and family lineage changed from the “earthly father” and was replaced by a lineage from “God the Father,” accessible to anyone through Jesus Christ. Therefore, all who believed on Jesus became part of a broader family of God. CHRIST introduced several major changes to the Family unit, one of which is, NO DIVORCE! The marriage relationship was important in the New Testament. There was to be marriage between one man and one woman (Mark 10:6-8; Ephesians 5:31). The relationship was to be permanent. Jesus addressed the issue of divorce because it was so commonly and easily exercised (for the man). Jesus believed that the love bond made the marriage vows sacred, and they were not to be broken (Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18). Jesus affirmed the value of marriage but did not view it as more important than the family of God.
The nature of the Christian marriage relationship, guided by Christlike love, called for both man and woman to give themselves voluntarily and sacrificially to each other (Ephesians 5:21). This mutual love commitment was a radical departure from the Old Testament marriage model. The New Testament marriage union was based on an equal and mutual sharing guided by love (1 Corinthians 7:4).
Children were given a place of high honor by Jesus (Mark 10:13-16). Having a child created an opportunity for parents to become co-creators with God in helping earthly children to become children of God (Romans 9:8). Therefore, the focus of the parent/child relationship was on love, honor, and respect as well as discipline and instruction (Ephesians 6:1-4).
Commitment: The Old Testament concept of covenant became the foundation for the new covenant in Jesus Christ. Steadfast love was enhanced by Christlike love. Covenants and commitments, in family relationships and faith relationships, were deepened by the new covenant of love which was infused with grace and forgiveness. All relationships were guided by grace and the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ (1 John 3:16). Christian family relationships called for a commitment which was based on openness and compassion, forgiveness and understanding.
This image of family commitment was so significant that it was used by the early church to describe the relationship of Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:1). Since the early churches were house churches, family relationships were very important because of the pagan forces which threatened them. All believers were members of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19), which was the household of faith (Galatians 6:10).
Function: The function of the family in the New Testament was secondary to the primary purpose of the family of God. Obedience to Christ and doing God's will was the calling for everyone. This faith commitment, then, shaped the purpose and function of the family. The family was guided by Christlike love, and the purpose of the family was to give witness to the love of God and bring people to a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ, thus creating the larger family of God. Above information from Holman Bible Dictionary...
REMEMBER, THE WORD DOES NOT CHANGE, and, HAS SIGNIFICANCE FOR ALL GENERATIONS! NO ONE can ALTER what is set forth by *GOD*, NO ONE! It is the work of the deceiver, that people, tend to create their own versions of life, in which case, IS premised on human, and, carnal teachings, NOT OF *GOD*!!!
Rampant is the alteration of THE WORD, and, rampant are the exact sins, which, HE has told us NOT to commit! We, as a society, and, as individuals, surely, need to meditate upon the state of our generation, while, seeking ways to correct what IS AGAINST *GOD*, HIS WILL, and, HIS WAYS! And for sure, for the sake of FAMILY, especially the Children, whom, are being subjected to our wrongful ways, whom, WILL be influenced in numerous ways, BY our complacency, muteness, and, disregard FOR HIS WORD!!!
A GREAT part of the reason for the Family unit being broken, and, worse, is, excuse me, LUST! We need to understand that, desire is a mentality, and, CAN be controlled! Our society is sex crazed, and, insatiable, which, is going to have dire, and, far reaching effects on life itself, not to mention, the building, patient wrath of *GOD*! Consider the Children, consider the true beauty of LOVE, Marriage, and, Family! Think about what the day's actions, carries as messages, and, examples, for the Children, whom, ARE the future! Most of all, IF you claim to LOVE *GOD*, consider HIS instructions, and, realize, the times might change, but, HIS WORD is forever! There are NO clauses in THE WORD, and, HIS TEACHINGS shall NOT sway with the moods, and, desires of Mankind; they are permanent, sound, effective, true, and, reasonable, PLUS, they have been instilled FOR OUR OWN GOOD, and, HIS GLORY!!!
May *GOD* BE with us, and, may we THINK, carefully, about the present state of our existence!!! *GOD* BLESS, LOVE, PEACE, and, take care...
REV. LWINSOR © 2012
BIBLICAL, and/or, other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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