THE HOME AT A GLANCE

by Kevin Rutherford

The stability of marriage and the home determines the strength of civilization. As humanists, feminists, entertainment forms, news media, politicians, public schools, homosexuals, lesbians, and atheists continue to attack God’s plan for the home they hasten the death of our nation. God’s plan for the home is the only way.

God’s plan involves one man and one wife for life (Genesis 1:20-24). God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16), and desires that marriages end only when one or both spouse are dead (Romans 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 7:39). While God hates divorce He does allow one cause for divorce (Matthew 19:1-9). That one cause is fornication. Specifically, one spouse having a sexual relationship with someone other than the one to whom they are married.

God’s plan involves husbands as the head of the house. He is the head of the wife and she is to submit to him (Ephesians 5:22-33). The husband is to dwell with his wife with understanding, and he is to honor her in the way he speaks and behaves (1 Peter 3:7). Not only is the husband the head of the wife but he is the masculine authority figure for his children. He is responsible for bringing up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:1-4). Included is the father’s duty to love and discipline his children (Hebrews 12:5-11).

God’s plan for the home involves the mother as the manager and keeper of the house. She is obligated to love her husband and her children, she must be of good character, she must obey her husband and she must be a homemaker (Titus 2:4, 5). The wife must emphasize good character in the way she lives while being submissive to her own husband (1 Peter 3:1-5).

God’s plan involves children who obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1-

3). The father and mother in the home set down the rules for their children, and they enforce those rules with consistency. This involves the loving discipline already mentioned (Hebrews 12:5-11). Children must come to respect the authority of their parents while understanding their parents love them deeply.

Strong homes make strong adults and children. Strong homes strengthen the church and the nation. So many of the problems created within our society are the result of bad homes. People seek solutions in everything but God’s Word. But, God’s way is the only way.