Yesterday I explained in general how I believe that the typical or cliché “Christian Family” lives. I did this because, in my opinion, this way of living is aiding the destruction of Christians today. The reason I believe this is that the devil isn’t in a hurry to destroy you. Yes, he came to kill steal and destroy (John 10:10) but he doesn’t care if he does it today or tomorrow. His ultimate goal is for us to go to Hell. If he can make our lives miserable along the way then that’s an added bonus but that isn’t his end goal. The best way to destroy the body of Christ, the Church, is from within using the family structure. So today I will discuss briefly what I believe that God wants out of our Christian Families.
First and foremost, God wants us to have a personal relationship with him through his son Jesus. He just doesn’t want to hear from us or be on our minds on Sunday. Remember the “pray without ceasing” part (1 Thes 5:17)? This is a big part of that relationship. Think about the most important relationship you have on this earth. It may be with your mom or your dad. It could be with a friend or your kids. If you’re married, I hope it’s with your spouse but if it isn’t, you should at least be honest with yourself for this exercise. Thinking about this most important relationship, how often do you nurture it or how often do you take advantage of it? How many things do you encounter throughout the day that reminds you of this person in a good way? How often do you talk to or want to talk to this person? God wants this kind of relationship with you. If parents have this kind of relationship with God, their children will know it. I guarantee that your children know exactly who your best friend is.
Next, he wants you to be “prayed up” if for no other reason than to have indescribable peace (Philippians 4:6,7). But He just doesn’t want those times of earnest prayer (which He does want) but he also wants those times when something reminds you of Him and you thank Him for it. He wants to be that most important relationship that you thought about earlier. Having a heart or attitude that prays without ceasing is the best way to maintain your daily Christian walk. Now with all of that said, he does desire those times when it is just you and Him and you are pouring your heart and soul out to Him. Maybe it is a time of praise or a time of bearing your soul, but either way He desires that alone time.
God wants us to have great marriages. That’s why He has rules in place to protect it. The purposes for having a great marriage far exceed what I can write about here but the reasons do seem obvious to me but they all boil down to Jesus’ statement that He came that we have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10…again). When you are fighting with your spouse, do you feel like you are living abundantly? Abundantly bad maybe. A solid, loving relationship between husband and wife is the primary basis for what God wants out of a “Christian Family”. Without that true love (not lust, infatuation, or the “in-love” feeling) the “Christian Family” that God wants will become the complaisant family that many see today where husband and wife begrudge each other. One of my most favorite scriptures is Matt 22:36-40;
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
If husband and wife can have this kind of love for each other, the devil CAN NOT destroy your family!
God wants moms and dads to work for him. God not only wants part of your money (tithe) but he wants your time too. He wants you to show Him that you love him through your works; “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17). Read James chapter 2 and you will see that not only should we have faith but God wants our works or our actions too. He wants us to do everything as though we are doing it unto Him (Col 3:23). He wants us to talk about Him and spread his word (Mark 16:15).
This is what I believe God wants from us. Does it exist? Yes. If you aren’t living this now, can you? Yes. It is never too late to conform to God’s will. If you really want to make a change and have an impact for God, start at home. Start with Matt 22:36-40 and go from there. If husband and wife will love God first and then love each other, I believe God will bring peace to that family and allow them to truly start impacting their community.
I’d love to hear your thoughts if you disagree and let me know if you need more information.
God loves you and I do too!
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