Daily Devotions
Colossians
"In the Lord."
Text: Colossians 3:18
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ affects every aspect of our life, including family relationships.
“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
Colossians 3:18-21
1. Four different parties identified
a) Wives
b) Husbands
c) Children
d) Parents
2. Two sets of relationships were mentioned
a) Wives and husbands
b) Children and parents
3. Exhortation given
a) Spiritual
i) Twice the word “Lord” is mentioned.
ii) His role must be appreciated and given due regard.
b) Practical (only basic concepts were touched on)
i) Wives should learn “submission”.
ii) Husbands should learn how to be more loving and less bitter.
iii) Children could improve on obeying their parents.
iv) Parents could be more understanding towards their children, lest they end up discouraged.
PRACTICAL DETAILS
Paul did not go into details with reference to pastoral advice to families, for obvious reasons. Ultimately, each family is unique. Whatever problems there may be must be resolved in the light of the Lord’s word, in wisdom, in humility and in the practical application of faith.
Each Christian family must resolve to bring honour and glory to the name of the Lord. Maturity of faith and understanding will go a long way to strengthen the corporate family witness for the Lord.