These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:14-15
Having endured the dissolution of my family as a seven-year-old child, the health of my family is among the greatest concerns in my life today. When families face turmoil and strife, their loyalty and dedication will be put to the test. When that loyalty and dedication is destroyed through sin, everyone suffers. The implications of this are seen in the vast body of evidence that demonstrates the unique challenges of growing up in a broken home. This does not mean the problem cannot be overcome (1 Corinthians 10:13). God knows our needs before we even ask (Matthew 6:8), and as always, He prepared the solution before the problem even arose.
It should come as no surprise that the health of the nuclear family is so intimately connected to the health of every other social construct. After all, the God who designed us and “…knows all things” (1 John 3:20) established the family unit before any other institution (i.e., government and even the church). As no one understands the inner workings of a computer better than its programmer, so no one understands the inner workings of humanity better than the God who created us.
Is it any wonder that He chose the family as one of the most common metaphors for His relationship to His people? Upon accepting and obeying the gospel plan of salvation, we become His sons and daughters (2 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 3:26-4:4). The significance of this cannot be overstated. Though one’s earthly family may not be as God desires, they can still have a family. Better still, though none of us is perfect, God’s family will be together for eternity.
However, for this to be our reality, we must keep the family of God healthy and vibrant during our time here on earth. The damage of seeing the “household of God” (Ephesians 2:19) in turmoil can be overwhelming for any child of God, especially those who are babes in Christ still just learning to walk in the ways of their adoptive Father. God has placed the responsibility on all His children to care for one another and keep His family safe in His household (1 Timothy 3:14-15). In describing the judgment scene in Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus made it clear that how we treat one another is how we treat Him (Matthew 25:37-40, 44-45).
The New Testament repeatedly warns about the dangers of causing damage to the house and family of God. Jesus made it clear that offenses (stumbling blocks, temptations) will come to God’s people, but “…woe to the man by whom the offense comes” (Matthew 18:7). In Romans 14:13, Paul reiterated this warning urging the Romans to “…resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” In Romans 14:15, 20, Paul warned that we may destroy the one for whom Christ died by our example leading them astray. Paul was so concerned with the well-being of his brethren he said, “Therefore, if food (particularly meats sacrificed to idols-TH) makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble” (1 Corinthians 8:13). The list could go on, but the point is clear that God demands His children look out for the good of one another.
Our soul’s salvation depends on our regard for the household of God. “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put one love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body: and be thankful” (Colossians 3:12-15).