Gospel Manhood - part 6

Who is your family?

Strictly speaking your family is comprised of your wife and your children together -those who live under your roof and make up your “household”. That is the biblical model. In addition to this is the Old Testament custom of the kinsman redeemer. If a family member was sold into slavery a close relative good by off the debt and redeem that family member. This a form of “gap” ministry whereby God in His Grace makes provision for those who fall outside of the biblical model. Therefore, Gospel men are to “stand in the gap” and seek to be a father to the fatherless.

Within the family there is a priority of relationships. Firstly should be the father's and mother's relationship (as one flesh) with Jesus. Secondly should be the marriage relationship of the father and mother. Thirdly is the mother and father (again as one united body) in a parental relationship with the children. The parents should never allow anything to come between them or their relationship with Christ.

The great misconception among Christians is that the church building is the center of our worship. The center of our worship is to be our home. It is to be the center of the Christian education of our children. We must not avoid Gospel conversations and discussions of Jesus and his work. Quite to the contrary. WE SHOULD SEEK OUT THE GOSPEL ANSWER TO ALL QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS.