18 Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master. 19 Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don’t take advantage of them. 20 Children, do what your parents tell you. This delights the Master no end. 21 Parents, don’t come down too hard on your children or you’ll crush their spirits. (Colossians 3:18-21, MSG)
22-24 Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands. 25-28 Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting.
Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage.
29-33 No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That’s how Christ treats us, the church, since we are part of his body. And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become “one flesh.” This is a huge mystery, and I don’t pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband.
1-3 Children, do what your parents tell you. This is only right. “Honor your father and mother” is the first commandment that has a promise attached to it, namely, “so you will live well and have a long life.” 4 Fathers, don’t exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master. (Ephesians 5:22-33, 6:1-4, MSG)
Here are some things to remember from these passages on the family unit:
1.
Wives, respect your
husband’s (whether they deserve it or not). Respect can turn your husband into
the leader of the family you desperately need.
“Never give up on your husband & never forsake your vows.”
(GeniusQuotes.net)
2.
Husbands,
wives crave your gestures of love. A little bit of
affection can make a humungous difference in the life of your spouse.
"Even my child has started to
walk without any support but my wife still holds my hand while walking"
(Anonymous)
3.
Children, remember your
parents were once your age. When you obey your parents your Heavenly Father is
pleased, life at home progresses easier, and you honor them.
“The way we talk to our children becomes their inner
voice.” (Anonymous)
4.
Parents, show your children
the respect you got (or wish you’d got at their age). Deal with your children
tactfully (minus the anger).
“Your parents give you many things in a lifetime…Most of which you
will not appreciate until way after they are gone.” (Anonymous)
“Home is not where you are from. Iit
is where you belong. Some of us travel the whole world to find it. Others find
it in a person.” (Beau Taplin)[i]
[i] Inspired by the sermon “Rooted and Built
Up: A Built Up Family” (installment six) Sunday July 15, 2018 Pastor Dave
Jansen CenterPoint Gahanna Church Gahanna, OH.
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