Loving our families requires nothing less than the perfect agape love of Jesus Christ, and this love does not flow naturally from us.
Apart from Jesus, we cannot love our families as we’re clearly called to do in the Bible.
If you need proof of this, just read 1 Corinthians 13 and substitute the phrase “I am always” for the words “love is”.
If you need proof of this, just read 1 Corinthians 13 and substitute the phrase “I am always” for the words “love is”.
If you’re like most people, you’ll give up on the very first description: I am always patient.
In John 15, Jesus tells us to abide in Him, because apart from Him we can do nothing.
In John 15, Jesus tells us to abide in Him, because apart from Him we can do nothing.
It is only as we abide in the Vine (Jesus) that the fruit of the Vine will be produced in us. Love is the fruit of His life.
Most family problems arise from one cause ?
Most family problems arise from one cause ?
The need to control.
I want it, you have it, and so I’m going to figure out how to get it away from you.
Everyone in the family, both parents and children, does this.
It is the natural result of sin.
Some try to gain control through the use of power; others through manipulation.
Regardless of the style used, the results are always the same — dysfunction, anger, pain and broken relationships.
This desire for control is fed by a combination of unrealistic expectations and misplaced dependencies.
This desire for control is fed by a combination of unrealistic expectations and misplaced dependencies.
For example, I expect my wife to love me unconditionally, or I define my value as a person by my “perfect” children.
The born-again Child of God has another option.
The born-again Child of God has another option.
When we abide in the vine, that is, when we walk by faith, the love of Jesus will begin to overflow from our lives to the lives of others.
The Holy Spirit renews our minds, teaching how to think clearly and truthfully.
We begin to serve one another instead of looking for ways to be served by others.
Walking by faith allows us to.....
1. See our children as the incredible gifts God intended them to be. It allows us to see their strengths and talents in order to train them in the way they should go, rather than trying to force them to be something else.
Most important, it shows us how to transfer their dependence on us to dependence on Jesus.
2. Serve our spouses, to experience what it really means when two become one.
2. Serve our spouses, to experience what it really means when two become one.
It shows us how to divide responsibilities according to interest and ability instead of by the need to control.
There is no better testing ground for the reality of faith, hope and love than our families. This means that Satan takes special care to attack them at every turn.
There is no better testing ground for the reality of faith, hope and love than our families. This means that Satan takes special care to attack them at every turn.
But no matter what Satan does, no matter the bone-headed decisions we or our children make, the perfect love of Jesus casts out all fear.
He grace is sufficient to every situation.
If you ever want to love your spouse better, or want to be a successful parent, or want to understand your parents for perhaps the first time, then.......
If you ever want to love your spouse better, or want to be a successful parent, or want to understand your parents for perhaps the first time, then.......
... fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of your faith.
Abide in Him, the Vine, and allow His life to infuse your life as a branch.
........If only as 'persona non grata', I could 'One Day', have .........another Chance with a wife & a family ?
Shalom
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