Family is Important
The family is very important to the God of heaven because He created it (Genesis 2:21-24). He joined the first couple in marriage. “Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman and brought her to the man.” (v. 22). He stated the importance of each of them leaving their homes to establish their own home. “Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife.” (v. 24). He put them together so that they could raise children who would leave them and establish their own homes. “…they shall become one flesh.” (v. 24).
The family is very important to the God of heaven because He used the image of family to illustrate His relationship with us. He has revealed Himself in the image of Father. He calls any who want to be in His family to be born into it (John 3:3, 5). He has revealed Jesus as our Brother “…He is not ashamed to call them brethren…” (Hebrews 2:11). At the same time He is the Son of the Father, “You are My Son. Today I have begotten You.” (Hebrews 1:5).
The family is very important to the God of heaven because He used the image of family to describe the responsibilities of the Church that Jesus built. The Church is subject to God. “Therefore, just as the Church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husband in everything.” (Ephesians 5:24). The Church is nourished and cherished by Jesus using the image that each person does this to his own body (Ephesians 5:29).
The family is very important to the God of heaven because He used the family as the proving ground for the leaders of the Church. A bishop’s qualifications include family considerations, “…the husband of one wife…one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)…” (I Timothy 3:2, 4-5). Deacons also have this qualifying consideration, “Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.” (I Timothy 3:12).
The family is very important to the God of heaven because He wants the Church to be a family to each other. “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God…” (Ephesians 2:19). His words to us about our actions come from Paul, “…that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.” (I Corinthians 12:25).
God’s use of family imagery shows how much He cares about our families. The way we conduct ourselves within our families shows how much we think about heaven. Heaven must not mean anything to me if I have not instilled thoughts of heaven in my family. Heaven must not mean anything to me if I have not emphasized the real needs of my family for heaven is a place where all of my real needs are met. If I am looking out for the real needs of my family, I will not hesitate them everything they need to know about it. Family is important! Is it important enough for you do all you can to give them heaven?
— Mike Johnson
