Is Your Love a Witness?

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.” Colossians 3:16-21

Someone said that if Christianity does not work at home, “don’t export it.” We chuckle a bit outwardly while inwardly realizing there is not a more difficult challenge than seeing Christianity work in family relationships.

Studies by individuals such as Josh McDowell and others indicate little difference between children raises in Christian homes and non-Christian homes. Divorce and marital conflict strike the believer’s household with as much intensity, if not frequency, as the unbeliever’s.

We need to depend on the power and counsel of the Holy Spirit, shedding our pride and ego in the process. It is the Holy Spirit who makes the spiritual superstructure of the home work - father as servant/leader; wife as respectful and equal helper; mom and dad as firm but loving parents; and children as creative, unique, obedient offspring.

Perhaps you are now in a seemingly hopeless situation. Everyone is angry. Tempers flare. Voices rise. The children are disobedient. Here’s hope - the Holy Spirit is in you to help you endure and change. He can help love the unlovely, control the temper, submit to authority, and express the life of Christ through you.

“...be filled with the Spirit,” Ephesians 5:18