“God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” – Genesis 1: 27 (NKJV)
Have you ever noticed that the family is a structure present across all living things, from plants to animals? Even the smallest weed in a forest belongs to a family. This shows that family is not merely a social idea but God’s divine design.
From the beginning, God created humans to be part of His family, made in His image and likeness. Just as members of a family share common traits, the children of God are to be identified by one defining characteristic – love, for God and for one another (John 13:34).
God established the family to reflect His heavenly order. He designed the man to lead as a representation of Christ’s headship over the Church (Ephesians 5:23). To husbands, God commands: “Love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25). This sacrificial love mirrors the greatest act of love ever known (John 15:13) and serves as the standard for every husband, to love selflessly and lead in humility.
Wives, on the other hand, are instructed to submit to their husbands just as the Church submits to Christ. Wives are called to respect and support their husbands in the home (Ephesians 5:23-24, NKJV). Also, in Genesis 2:18, when God made Eve for Adam, he called her a ‘help meet’. At the core of the wife’s role is being a suitable help to her husband.
Parents together share the sacred duty of raising their children in the way of the Lord; teaching, correcting, and encouraging them so they grow up in faith and character (Deuteronomy 6:7; Proverbs 22:6, NKJV). In doing this, they pass on a Godly legacy to the next generation.
Children, too, have the responsibility to obey and honour their parents, with God promising long life and prosperity to those who do so (Ephesians 6:1-3, NKJV). As you obey your earthly parents, you reflect your obedience to your Heavenly Father (Colossians 3: 20, NKJV).
Building on this, love should be at the core of every family member’s role. It drives us. God wants each family member to show His love on earth.
Finally, as a member of your family, you should ensure that you know what your role in the family entails and carry out this role as unto the Lord because it is what God expects of you. This faithfulness should not be dependent on how efficient other family members are, but rather as a commitment to God
Prayer:
Lord, let my home reflect Your love and order. Teach me to lead, serve, and love like You, so that my family becomes a light that reveals Your glory to the world. Amen.
Bible Reading Plan: Exodus 27-28, Matthew 22:23-46