HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div
Fourth I see my marriage and children as my stewardship
Just like the Church, your marriage and family is also a representation of Christ to the watching world. Husbands and wives must work at being one with each other like God are one, and as each of you are one with your own body, and like Christ is one with His body.
Ephesians 5:28-30, “So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of His body.” Love means sacrificial action to benefit another. We have to sacrifice for our marriages so they display more of Christ. For most of us, that means making time, giving up personal wants, denying our individual preferences, turning off the phone, walking away from the computer, turning off the TV, not watching the game, getting a date night without the kids to make sure you are pursuing oneness. The only time your marriage glorifies God is when you delight in, cherish and enjoy each other more than any other person, thing or child–and friends, which takes constant work and commitment.
Psalm 127:3 says, “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward.” Children are given to you to influence for Christ–they are not yours, they are His. They are on loan to you, they are going to leave you, and your goal is simple. Disciple them like the great commandment–teach them to obey all that Christ has commanded them. Don’t just educate them, don’t merely teach them–but train them, a model for them, show them what it means to follow Christ.
Dads, as they get older, schedule time to take all the kids, and make time to get regular individual face-to-face time with each one. Always know where their hearts are–help them discover their gifts and strengths, and show them how to deal with their weaknesses. Model a commitment to use your gifts in the church, and to share the gospel in the world. This is why Christ gave them to you, so they would bring Him glory. Do you have a conviction about being one with your spouse, and disciplining your children?
