What does it mean to be a Christian family? What is so different? Is it that they attend church together or they pray together or have daily devotions together? Or do they have to be old-fashioned and pure and uptight all the time. Does it mean that they think they are better than anyone else? Well, there are definitely differences and some of the simple answers for these questions are yes, maybe, not necessarily, no, yes and I sure hope not! Just how are families to be identified as Christian?
What do you characteristics come to mind when you think of Christians? Who are the people that you think embody what it means to be a Christian (even if you don't know if they attend church)? How about people who are though of well in the community, well-respected, honest, accessible, hospitable. Someone who is a good parent, holds the children's respect, active in community and school, not pushy, but helpful, may be well-off, but not stingy, actually generous and gracious. Does this identify a Christian? Does a Christian family look like this? Sure there are variances, but this is pretty close. Actually it is more like an expectation of a Christian family. Read 1 Timothy 3 to see more clearly. It is here that Paul reveals his expectations not only of Christian families, but even further for Christian leaders and pastors.
One of the many things I learned long ago about becoming a pastor was that the expectations for me and my family would be forever changed. I grew up in church and know that the pastor's family is seen and discussed in ways very different from most of the others in church or community. It seems that everyone knows what is going on in the pastors home (sometimes even better than the pastor!). But this is one cross I recognized I'd had to bear and accepted it without reservation. Often I turn to these passages from 1 Timothy 3-4 to remind me of God's expectations for my family. It is good barometer for me so that I can keep away from the Devil's trap.
A Christian family is really supposed to be a more complete revelation of the very presence of Christ and a smaller version of the body of Christ. Love, grace, accountability, servanthood, and the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23, are these important characteristics. Maybe today, or this week is a time to take inventory of our own families' characteristics. How are we doing? Do we have some work to accomplish?
We'll work on this more this weekend in worship.
Peace ><>
PC
1 comment:
I just asked a related question on my blog. Your question reminds me of a comment my wife made to me last spring as my oldest son was graduating from high school. She said, "I wish ours boys could have seen a Godly home at some point growing up." Her comment felt like an accusation and an admission of failure at the same time. I responded, "Your family was the closest example that I can come up with." So, I guess to answer your question, I could list things which I admired in her family.
1. The children heard the words, "I love you" with no strings attached. Love and affection, in the form of hugs and kisses, were demonstrated. My wife and her sisters grew up never doubting that they were loved.
2. Hospitality was practised so much that it was as natural as breathing. My mother-in-law had the biggest heart and was always quick to laugh, often at herself. There were always "extra" people at the table for holiday meals. I cannot count the nonbiological family members they have. My mother-in-law "adopted" so many young people, who came to love her.
3. Grace was evident in the way people were treated. I remember when I was first married, I was getting a cookie out of my mother-in-law's cookie jar, and I dropped the lid and chipped it. The cookie jar was essentially a family heirloom, having belonged to her mother for decades. When I told my wife's mom what had happened, she told me that in her house as long as a person was honest about things like that there were no hard feelings. Instant, genuine forgiveness.
My mother-in-law died in 1999. My father-in-law is now 87. I could not have asked for better in-laws. The way they treated other people was evidence of their faith in God. They loved others because of the way they had been loved.
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