THE BIBLE AND FAMILY RULES {PART 3}

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE AND FAMILY RULES {PART 3}

                                        Servant- Master Relationship

Presenter: Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu {Sunday Director}

Devotional Text Eph 6:5-9

INTROGUCTION:

                        Biblical rules that guide servant-master relationship are better summarised in the Scripture, “servant obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey CHRIST,” {Eph. 6:5}... “And masters treat your servants in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that their MASTER and yours is in heaven, and there is no favouritism with HIM,” {Vs. 9}. Here, basic responsibilities for both parties in the relationship are spelt out, citing our LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST as the unseen MASTER who must be obeyed, if order must be achieved in the family.

GENERAL REMARKS

(i)              Servants are enjoined to serve their masters with sincerity of heart and respect, {Eph. 6:5}

(ii)            Servants, equally should serve their masters wholeheartedly, as if they are serving the LORD JESUS CHRIST, {Vs. 7}

(iii)           Masters, also should treat their servants in the same way their servants are expected to serve them, {Vs. 9}

(iv)           Masters, as well should not threaten their servants, but handle their affairs in love, taking cognisance of the truth that JESUS CHRIST our BLESSED SAIOUR is the MASTER of masters, who rewards everyone according to their deeds, {Vs. 9}

FAMILY RULES FOR SERVANTS

By way of definition, a servant is someone who performs duties for others, especially one employed in a family to carry out domestic duties or as a personal attendant. Normally, there are regulations guiding the duties of servants, and GOD’S WORD offers the uttermost guideline for such duties. To this end, servants are enjoined to “be obedient to them that are their masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of the heart, as unto CHRIST; not with eye service, as men pleasers, but as the servants of CHRIST, doing the WILL of GOD from the heart, {Eph. 6:5-6}. The Scripture in focus shows that, servants should serve their masters obediently, and that the said masters are human beings, since they are referred to, as masters according to the flesh. They should equally serve them, “with fear and trembling,” which implies that, they should accord them a very high degree of respect, as well as serve with sincerity of purpose, that is, without guile, hypocrisy or dissimulation, which is pictured as, serving with the singleness of the heart, as unto CHRIST, indicating that their services to their masters must bring glory to CHRIST, warning them also against eye service and men-pleasing tendencies, but as servants of CHRIST, doing the WILL of GOD {Vs. 5-6}. By this, therefore, this lesson states that;

(i)        Servants should serve their masters with, the uttermost sense of obedience and respect, and with sincerity of purpose, {Vs. 5}

(ii)      They should also know that their services to their masters should always be to the glory of CHRIST, {Vs. 5}

(iii)     Servants should, as well, know that doing the will of GOD in service, is doing the right things, as approved

 by the WORD of GOD, {Vs. 6}

FAMILY RULES FOR MASTERS

    According to the Holy Scripture, masters should not threaten their servants, since they know that HE who is both their MASTER and theirs, is in Heaven, and there is no favouritism with HIM, {Eph. 6:9}. Here, one deduces the simple truth that both masters and servants are servants of the LORD, and so, implies that a master who desires fair treatment from the LORD must learn to treat his servants fairly. Thus, the New international Version {NIV} of the Colossian account of the instruction enjoins masters to provide their servants with what is right and fair, for the fact that CHRIST JESUS our BLESSED SAVIOUR, who is the MASTER of masters is in heaven {Col. 4:1}, and sees every action of masters which, accordingly, HE will reward, whether they be good or bad. In line with the foregoing, it becomes biblically obvious that;

(i)              Masters should not threaten their servants, {Eph. 6:9}

(ii)            They should rather provide them with what is right and fair, {Col. 4:1}

(iii)           They should, equally, bear in mind that JESUS CHRIST, the MASTER of masters, is watching, {Vs. 1}

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND FAMILY SUPERVISION

No doubt, our LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, is the unseen MASTER and SUPERVISOR of every family on earth, who frowns at injustices, when they are allowed in any household, especially, when they are meted out on servants. But, at times, injustices come from servants to their masters, indicating why the instruction simultaneously considers servants and masters, in the order that says, “servants be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto CHRIST”... “And, masters treat your servants in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that their MASTER and yours, is in heaven, and there is no favouritism with HIM” {Eph. 6:5-9}, an indication of an ongoing supervision of the family by CHRIST JESUS. The above assertion biblically shows that;         

(i)                    Servants should adhere to the tenets of the family rules as they affect them, {Titus 2:9}

(ii)                  Masters should also keep their own part of the instruction, {Eph. 6:9; Col. 4:1}

(iii)                 Peace, love and harmony can only be achieved in a household, where family rules are kept, {Eph. 6:5-9}

In conclusion, it is important to note that family rules that border on servants and their masters are crucial and sensitive, since servants and maters are often not linked biologically, which makes mutual trust humanly difficult. But, the GRACE of GOD provides sufficient strength that enables one abide by the stipulations of family rules. BEWARE OF WICKEDNESS!

THE BIBLE AND FAMILY RULES {PART 2}

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE AND FAMILY RULES {PART 2}

                                    Children - Parents Relationship

Presenter: Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu{Sunday Director}

Devotional Text: Eph 6:1-4

INTRODUCTION:

According to the Holy Scripture, “sons are a heritage from the LORD, and children a reward from HIM...” {Psalm 127:3}, as parents are enjoined to train them up in the way of the LORD, {Prov. 22:6}. On the other hand, children are called up to obey their parents in the LORD... {Eph. 6:1}, with specific commandments to honour them {vs. 2}, as fathers are asked not to provoke their children to anger in the process of training them, but rather bring them up in the training and instruction of the LORD, {vs. 4}. The cited biblical family rules show that children would be blessed if they keep to them {vs. 3}, as well as implies that fathers who play their roles well would equally be rewarded, {Vs. 4}. But, where reverse is the case, problems definitely become inevitable.

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)       Family rules show that children should obey their parents, as well as honour them, {Eph. 6:1-2}

(2)       Family rules equally show that parents should bring up their children in the training and instruction of the LORD, {Vs. 4}

(3)       Family rules also charge fathers not to provoke their children to anger in the process of training them up, {Vs. 4}

(4)       Family rules, as well, offer blessings to children who obey and honour parents in the LORD, {Vs. 1-2}

CHILDREN’S FAMILY RULES FOR PARENTS

Rules are stipulations that tell us what to do and what not to do, at the points of human activities or relationships. In GOD’ S WORD, children are instructed to obey their parents {grandparents, foster-parents or any care-giver} in the LORD {Ep. 6:1}, with a definite directive to honour their fathers and mothers”- which is the first commandment with a promise that guarantees their well-being and long life on earth {vs. 2-3}, and implies that a violation of the scriptural instructions carries devastating consequences. Now, observe that, the instruction, “children obey your parents” {vs. 1} connotes the concept of submission, and, by extension, carries the implication of love. No doubt, genuine love goes with the submission that result in genuine obedience, as false love goes with forced submission and obedience, and so, the evidences of one’s love for one’s parents are submission and obedience borne out of one’s uncompromised love for them, which, in turn, result in blessings of longevity and well-being on earth, {Vs. 2-3}. Therefore;

(1)       Children who keep to the tenets’ of family rules get the gifts of long life, {Vs. 2-3}

(2)       Those who break the rules often get the curses of premature death and visible problems, {Prov. 20:20; 30:17}

(3)       Children are, therefore, called upon to listen to their fathers, and not to despise their mothers at old age, {Prov. 23:22}

PARENTS’ FAMILY RULES FOR CHILDREN

Again, rules are stipulations which tell us what to do and what not to do at the point of human activities or relationships. And, to the parents, pointedly to the father,...provoke not your children to anger, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD, {Eph. 6:4}, which Abraham demonstrated, when the LORD said, “for I know him Abraham} that he will command his children and his household after him,  and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgement...” {Gen. 18:19}, which is GOD’s condition for the fulfilment of HIS promises and blessings to one’s family and generations, thus, the concluding part of the cited verse of the Scripture says... “that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which HE HAS spoken of him,” {vs. 19c}. Therefore, parents of all generations re enjoined to teach their children the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD; HIS, Power, and the wonders HE HAS done {Psalm 78:3-4}, in the holy admonitions of the LORD, as well as discipline them in love {Prov. 29:17}, instead of provoking them to anger, {Eph. 6:4}. In keeping with the above biblical assertions, parents, especially fathers, are once again instructed to;

(i)                    Bring up their children in the training and instruction of the LORD, instead of provoking them to anger, {Eph. 6:4}

(ii)                  Discipline them in love, instead of becoming a willing party to their death, {Prov. 19:18}

(iii)                 Train-up their children in the way of the LORD, instead of letting them go astray, {Prov. 22:6}.

CHILDREN, PARENTS AND FAMILY RULES

For the family to work, children and parents must be committed to family rules. In this connection, children must learn to obey their parents in the LORD and follow their godly instructions, as parents are expected to keep to the basic tenets of the WORD of GOD in raising their children, {Eph. 6:1-4}. In other words, every child, as well as very parent, in every family, has a responsibility to make the family work. To this end, children should be aware that, “if one curses one’s father or mother, one’s lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness,” {Prov. 20:20}. They should equally note that, “the eye that mocks a father or mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, and will be eaten by the vultures” {Prov. 30:17}, as parents should, on their own part know that, “to discipline a child in love gives peace, and bring delight to the soul of a parent” {Prov. 29:17}, and shows disaster definitely follows where family rules are violated. This strictly implies that, for the family to work;

(i)                    Children should learn to obey their parents in the LORD, {Eph. 6:1}

(ii)                  Parents should equally learn not to provoke their children, but admonish them in love {vs. 4}

(iii)                 Both children and parents should constantly be committed to family rules, {vs. 1-4}.

In conclusion, please note that, it is the will of GOD that children and their parents live in harmony, as informed by the Holy Scripture, and to achieve this, the both units of family members must adhere strictly to the WORD of GOD, as it concerns them. DO YOUR OWN PART!

THE HOLY GHOST MISSION

THE BIBLE AND FAMILY RULES {PART 1}

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE AND FAMILY RULES {PART 1}

Husband - Wife Relationship

Presenter: Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu[Sunday School Director]

 Devotional Text: 2 Cor. 5:17-21

INTRODUCTION:

Husband and wife are the foundation of the family, and their coming together in marriage, biblically speaking, is fundamentally for companionship {Gen 2:18-24}, and so, procreation only widens the relationship,{Gen 1:26-28}. This, therefore, implies that child-bearing is not the basis of love in family life. To this end, this lesson stresses that child-bearing or no child-bearing in marriage, husbands should love their wives, and riches or no riches in married life, wives should submit to their own husbands, as marriage relationship is not conditioned on child-bearing or any form of material blessing, {Eph 5:22-33; Gen 2:18-20}.

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)       Husband and wife relationship in family is purely based on mutual love and submission, {Eph 5:22-33}

(2)       In husband and wife relationship, everybody is in obligation to keep the terms of the relationship, {vs 22-33}

(3)       In husband and wife relationship, also, companionship is the first thing in the relationship, {Gen 2:18-20}

(4)       Equally, in husband and wife relationship, third party should not be allowed, as Eve allowed satan

 to plant the first insubordination in human family, {Gen 3:1-6}.

HUSBAND’S FAMILY RULES FOR THE WIFE

According to the Collins English Dictionary, “rules are instructions that tell you what you are allowed to do, and what you are not allowed to do”. In marital relationship, the Holy Scripture shows how affairs should be taken care of, between couples. To the husband, the grand instruction is, “love your wife”, {Eph 5:22}. Here, GOD’S WORD draws attention to sacrificial love, since it points to the LOVE of CHRIST wherein HE laid down HIS LIFE for the Church, {vs22}. To this end, husband’s love for the wife must be fine-tuned with a holy touch of admiration, which implies that a husband must, as a matter of commitment, love the wife beyond the influences or charming of any other woman, as well as be willing to protect her from any form of aggression that poses threat to her life and well-being. Also, husband’s love for the wife must, as well, trigger off a sense of commitment which seeks to provide the basic necessities of life for her comfort and happiness, {vs 22}. Therefore, husband’s love for the wife should not;

(i)        Keep records of wrongs, but should keep all biblical principles of love, {1Cor 13:4-7}

(ii)      Contemplate infidelity or divorce, but should maintain uncompromised love, {Mal. 2:16;Eph 5:25}

(iii)     Consider external influences or preferences that could warrant mental or actual adultery, {Matt.5:28; 2Sam. 11:2-5ff}.

WIFE’S FAMILY RULES FOR THE HUSBAND

Once again, “rules are instructions that tell you what you are allowed to do, and what you are not allowed to do.” To the wife, the background of rules that govern her relationship in marriage is “submission.” Thus, the Holy Scripture says, “wives submit to your husbands as to the LORD,” {Eph. 5:22}. This implies that a wife, who submits to the husband, does not necessarily submit to the man, but to the LORD, and so, any violation of this rule, is insubordination to the LORD and not just to the husband. But, submission to a husband should not be when it goes against the WORD OF GOD. For, a wife is, biblically encouraged to resist any attempt by the husband, which seeks to lure her into idol worship or anything that contradicts her faith in CHRIST. In this case, she ought to obey GOD rather than man, {Acts5:29}. However, the submission of a wife to her husband in everything that does not violate the WORD of GOD or her faith in CHRIST should be second to none, since she has to submit to her husband above every other man, boss, pastor or any person, no matter how highly placed. In other words, a wife should not submit to any other man above her own husband. In line with the foregoing, therefore, this lesson opines that a wife should:

(i)        Submit to her husband in everything that does not violate the WORD of GOD or her faith in CHRIST { Col. 3:18; Acts 5:29}

(ii)      Not submit to her husband when any attempt is made to lure her out of her godly faith, {Vs. 29}

(iii)     Always remember that she is first accountable to the LORD our GOD before her husband, {Eph. 5:22}

PROBLEM OF THIRD PARTY IN HUSBAND AND WIFE RELATIONSHIP

The biblical expression, “for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” {Gen. 2:24} shows that third party is not allowed in husband and wife relationship. Though, a husband and wife may need some godly pieces of advice in handling certain domestic problems, but on no account should they allow external influences to over-shadow their private or domestic matters. In this connection, undue influences of mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, bosses, pastors, community leaders, and more, should not be allowed in the relationship of a husband and his wife, as they should learn to solve their own problems themselves. And so, mutual trust, love and faithfulness to each other should be their watch-word. In furtherance, husband and wife should endeavour to stop busybody elements from meddling in the affairs of their union, to avoid kick-starting misgivings that could affect their relationship negatively. Based on the above narrative, it becomes biblically in order to state that:

(i)        Husband and wife should learn to live in oneness of life and purpose, {Gen. 2:22-24}

(ii)      They should equally learn to shun every busybody element that may come to insinuate falsehood

 that could lead to breakdown in the union, {1 Tim. 5:13}

(iii)     Husband and wife should, as well, learn to guard against every gossip that could stir up suspicion

 in their union, {vs. 13; 2 Thess. 3:11}.

In conclusion, this lesson states that the relationship of husband and wife is governed by rules, which permits no civil or any other eternal interferences, since  marriage, is a Divine institution, which only GOD HAS the real answer to the problems which satan brings to destroy it. PRAY FOR FAMILIES TODAY!