September 10 Family Love

Read Colossians 3:18-21

Family Love

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

THERE’S Paul, writing in Col 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”  And you say, “Great, I’m going to do that!” Then Paul writes “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.”  

     What do you think, ladies? Are you still saying, “I’m going to do that.” Submission draws pictures of husbands controlling their wives, and you see a life imprisoned by a man’s desires.

     But in truth, the way of submission is an agreement to follow God. That’s where the husband enters. Note, men, that you must love your wife, not merely with a romantic love, but with a Godly love. You know that love, don’t you? It’s the love that caused Jesus to submit to the cross to die for you.

     Love your wife enough to die for her. Honor your wife because God has brought her to you. Do what is right. Teach her God’s ways and submit to her needs as well (see Ephesians 5).

     And men, you must be gentle and loving with your children. They, too, are God’s gifts to you.

     The family is very, very precious to God. He designed it to be the image of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Father reigned. The Son submitted. The Spirit acts. All is done in love.

A Moment’s Thought: Yes, “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”