Protecting the Christian Family

Intro: Alvin Toffler wrote a book entitled “Future Shock” which predicted various culture revolutions that would transform America.

In a chapter called “The Fractured Family”, Toffler predicted the family would not disappear, but would reappear in weird and novel ways, (same sex homes, divorced, foster....). The tradition (Biblical) family (husband, wife, children) now represents less than 25% of American families.

Cohabitation, same sex marriage, single-parent homes, transgenderism, and the scourge of pornography have contributed to the breakdown of the family.

For many today, there are no absolutes, everything is considered to be relative, and therefore the lines between what is right and wrong are blurred. This is reminiscent of a time long ago:

In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

You do you, I’ll do me

This is my truth

‘Do What Thou Wilt Shall Be The Whole Of The Law’

This satanic mantra was created by the early-1900s occultist, Aleister Crowley, who was arguably one of the most evil men who lived in the 20th century. As the world turns to self-centered lawlessness, it’s no shock that satanic chaos reigns supreme as mobs destroy America.

CHAZ/CHAD in Seattle? Lawless and chaotic. Progressive liberalism? Makes it own law as it goes forward. Mobs of looters and destroyers? You get the point.

The 20th century Christian philosopher, Francis Schaeffer, noted in 1978 that when the natural cohesion of the Christian consensus in society disappears, the chaos that results will ultimately require the imposition of an external control by a manipulative elite. And yes, he used the term ‘Technocrat’ to describe such an elite.

The Christian family is the glue which holds society together, we must protect the Christian Family!

Seek Wholesome Relationships

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

The Apostle Paul pleaded with the Corinthians for separation from the sinful world and unholy relationships. The command not to put together in one yoke an ox and a donkey, because they would work against each other.

While this can apply to marriage, it also appliers to any relationship between a believer and unbeliever that might draw the believer into sinful living.

Paul exposed the contradiction of one who’s Master is Jesus Christ and one who’s master is Satan being together in an intimate relationship. Christ and Satan, faith and unbelief, righteousness and unrighteousness cannot be in union with one another.

There could be no agreement between the temple of God and the idolatrous practices of the sinful world.

Separation From Sin Commanded

2 Corinthians 6:17–18 NKJV

Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

Like Israel, who were God’s holy people, were called to be separate from idolatry and evil associations. Christians are also called to such separation. This does not mean isolation from the world.

Jesus was falsely accused of being a winebibber, glutton, and sinner because of His friendliness toward sinners. Yet, Jesus remained spiritually and morally separated from sinners and did no sin.

He was not isolated from sinners, but insulated against sinning. We, too, are not to be isolated from the world, but insulated against sinful living by the sanctifying power of God’s Word and Spirit.

As believers in Christ we enjoy the blessings of a familial relationship with God, in that we are His very own sons and daughters. Because of this we are to bear a family resemblance to our Father, which means we are to be holy because He is holy.

1 Peter 1:15–16 NKJV

but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Abstain From Destructive Habits

Proverbs 23:31-35 “Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: “They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?”

Do not Sin Deeds or Words

Through sinful habits may be alluring because they are sensual pleasures, the problem with sin is, in the end, the cost of sin is death. Proverbs gives a graphic Biblical description of the folly of drunkenness results in multiple problems emotionally,socially. physically, mentally and spiritually.

The most abused drug on earth is alcohol. The New Testament warns that no drunkard can inherit the kingdom ogf God. (1 Corinthians 6:10)

Ephesians 5:3–5 NKJV

But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Because they were still living in an idolatrous environment, Paul urged the Ephesians Christians to continue keeping themselves from the evils from which Christ saved them.

As Christians, living in a sinful world we must guard our behavior and speech at all times to abstain from any conduct or language that would not be appropriate for a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Behavior and speech acceptable to God will provide a spiritual healthy atmosphere in the home for the family, helping to keep away the destructive forces of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 NKJV

Abstain from every form of evil.

Follow God, Be Spirit-Filled

Ephesians 5:1–2 NKJV

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Ephesians 5:15–18 NKJV

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

As believers in Christ, we are to be followers (disciples) of Jesus Christ. The word followers or imitators means to mimic, that is to do what is consistent with the holy character and conduct of God we see revealed in Holy Scripture and in Christ, the living Word.

following God means walking, conducting our life in love as Christ has loved us

Walking circumspectly means being spiritually vigilant as we go on living, guarding against abstaining from all forms of evil

redeem, make the best use our our time allotted to us by God

pursue understanding and do “what the will of God is

As Christians, we are called to live godly in this world, and we are empowered by God to do so. Christian living is not so much a duty as it is a response. It is our obedient response to God’s Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Love Christ Above All Others

Mark 3:31–35 NKJV

Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You.” But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?” And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”

Jesus asked a question, “Who is my mother, or my brothers?

Jesus identified the people who were gathered around Him, as His mother and brothers, saying “Whoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother and my sister, and My mother.

This was not a repudiation, rejection of His family, He said that to teach the truth, that whoever does the will of God in obeying Jesus Christ are members of the family of God.

Love Christ Supremely

Matthew 10:37–39 NKJV

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Loving God supremely, and loving Christ supremely, in no way diminishes the love we have for our father, mother, spouse, our children. Loving Christ supremely always increases the love we have for our families as well as all other people.

we must love Christ above all others to love others as we should

After Peter had denied Jesus three times, Jesus, in restoring Peter to a right relationship with himself, inquired of Peter three times “Do you love me”. this is always the question

How much do we love Jesus? This will be the measure of how much we love others, including our own family.