Christ: The Solid Foundation of the Home

Foundation Jesus (2)The foundation of a house supports the entire structure. If the foundation is not solid, the house is unstable (Matt. 7:24-27).

Jesus Christ is the foundation and chief cornerstone of our relationships with God and each other in His church (Eph. 2:19-20; 1 Cor. 3:10-11). Oh, we can have relationships that are not built upon Christ with family, friends, coworkers and even the government, but they will always be mundane as though something is missing. But when we become Christians, everything changes in a most wonderful way.

Anytime Jesus touched anything or anyone during His life, things were always better. You could count on it. The Christian is a new creature, and all his relationships have a newfound aliveness to them because Christ is brought into all of them (2 Cor. 5:16-17). Every good thing is now done for “the Lord’s sake” and “as unto the Lord” (1 Pet. 2:13; Col. 3:23).

If this is true when it comes to the relationships with government (Rom. 13:1-6) and employers (Col. 3:22-25; 4:1; 2 Thess. 3:10-12), it is vitally true when it comes to relationships within the home. Our relationship with Christ affects relationships in the home.

Notice Paul’s instructions concerning the duties of young wives in Titus 2:4-5. They need to “love their husbands, to love their children…that the word of God may not be blasphemed!” Similarly, husbands must dwell with their wives “with understanding…that your prayers may not be hindered!” (1 Peter 3:7). And, if anyone does not provide for his own family, “he has denied the faith” (1 Tim. 5:8). Do you see it? All of these passages are implying that proper dealings with one another in the home are plumb-lined to our relationship with Jesus Christ.

For Christians, THE KEY to beginning to build an ideal home is realizing that every relationship must be governed by Jesus Christ.  

– Steve Klein & Jeff May

How to Build Your Dream Home” (p. 24)

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Heaven is Exclusive

Being left out hurts.  Most of us have had the experience…not getting picked for the team…not getting invited to the party…not getting into a certain social group because of age, color, gender, financial status, or education.

And so, inclusion has become a rallying cry in our culture. Our corporations, public institutions, history books, and television shows, are expected to include everybody equally.  Everyone is supposed to include everyone, unless of course we’re talking about someone who doesn’t include everyone — that person can be excluded.  As ESPN President John Skipper said, “We have no tolerance for points of view that aren’t inclusive.”

Christianity is open to everyone, because everyone is invited to be saved in Christ.  The saving message of the good news of Jesus Christ is for all.  But all do not accept the invitation.  And that is the reason that heaven itself is exclusive.

Consider what Jesus says in Luke 13:23-24 when someone asked Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” He said, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”  Few will enter the gate that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14). Those excluded are excluded because they rejected belief and because their behavior on earth did not comply with God’s will (John 3:18-19; Matthew 25:31-46).

While we may think it compassionate and inclusive to say that nearly every departed soul will spend eternity in heaven, we must realize that heaven itself would cease to be heaven if such were the case.  If those who have disrespected God’s name on earth, disobeyed His commands, oppressed their fellowman, and lived for their own selfish desires were allowed to inhabit heaven, how would it be much different from earth?  “Either the day must come when joy prevails and all the makers of misery are no longer able to infect it, or else, for ever and ever, the makers of misery can destroy in others the happiness they reject for themselves” (C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce).

Yes, heaven is exclusive, but it doesn’t have to exclude you!   “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.  But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie” (Revelation 22:14-15).

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