Skip to main content


During the month of May we want to focus on "The Family" because we simply believe that God is the originator of the family and continues to uphold it. The traditional family is under attack. Television programs portray fathers stupid, mothers as overbearing, and children as smart beyond their years. 

The biblical ideal, established at the beginning of humanity, is for one man and one woman to join in a spiritually and physically committed union for a lifetime, conceiving and rearing children (Genesis 1:27–28; 2:18, 21–25). Although this model wasn't followed consistently throughout the Scriptures.  Today, single parents, married couples without children, grandparents rearing their grandchildren, and empty-nesters etc., make up a considerable percentage of "Christian" families.  Yet a Christian family can be a group of people who are related to each other and are committed to the person and work of Jesus Christ. We can experience the love, power, and forgiveness of God in the context of our families.

A Christian family is one that built on biblical principles and one in which each member understands and fulfills his or her God-given role. The family is not an institution designed by man. It was created by God for our benefit of man, and we have been given stewardship of it. The biblical family begins with one man, one woman and their children. The extended family can include relatives such as grandparents, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. 

The first ideal for a Christian family is that all the members are Christians, with a true relationship with Jesus Christ. The second ideal is that the marriage relationship between husband and wife that is foundational to a Christian family, follows the biblical instructions. The third ideal is that the children obey and to honour their parents. Finally, a Christian family will have all its members committed to Christ and His service. When a husband, wife, and children all fulfill their God-appointed roles, then peace and harmony can be experienced in the home. 


Join us in aspiring to become a Christian Family at Emmanuel.

Greetings
Ron

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Hearing and doing I'm amazed at how easy it becomes to nod our heads at all the right places after serving God for a while. We are quick to agree when someone speaks to us about God's Word (given that it is sound doctrine of course), without asking ourselves if it is merely theory to us. The fact of the matter is that most of us believe what the Bible teaches with all our hearts. How is it then that we so easily fall into the trap of knowing but not applying? Hearing but not doing? How do we keep ourselves from thinking we know it all but hold on to a zeal for God's Word that leads to obedience? It is relatively easy to read the 'thou shalt not' passages, to apply it and to tap ourselves on the shoulder thinking we did well! Of course we are doing well if we abstain from all the things we know is bad for us - sinful behaviors, unhealthy attitudes, etc. - but I do think there is more to living a life of abundance and victory! There are many pas...

Temporary Suffering

Temporary Suffering Part 1: Is it God's will for Christians to suffer? I recently posed this question to our congregation. The response could not have been more diverse, ranging from " absolutely ," to " absolutely not! " Here's the thing: everyone undergoes suffering in some form at some point of time. Consequently everyone has an opinion about it, seeing as we're all experts in our own rights. But what does the Bible say? If we take seriously Jesus' words in the Gospels it becomes abundantly clear that being His follower comes with various hardships. His teaching about suffering as a disciple culminates in everyone's least favourite promise in the Bible where He states, " In this world you will have trouble... " (John 16:33) But perhaps that's still somewhat open to interpretation? And what about God's will regarding such matters as suffering and hardship? Let's look at passages out of the letters of...