“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10)
When we see the word 'therefore' it behoves us to ask what it is there for. In the same way, after the word 'finally', we expect the final section or completion of a message.
Ephesians 6:10-18 famously describes the armour of God. However, preceding it, there are 21 verses describing effective family relationships. Brief, clear guidelines are given for wives, husbands and children and others. It is on this basis of right relationships, that Paul gives his concluding teaching about standing in the armour of God against the work of evil.
The foundational social context of our lives is family. God did not design us to go it alone. Yet, He knows that the hardest place to work out our salvation is often with those who know us best; who know our weaknesses and strengths but love us just the same - hopefully!
It is from this place of committed family relationships, which give us security, peace and prosperity of heart and mind, that we have strength and a place to stand, to speak and act for the Lord in the wider world and in the battle that belongs to Him. However, without unity with our nearest and dearest, spiritually speaking, we are like King Harold, fighting uphill.
The Blessings of Strong Family Life
A strong family life, linked to the daily living out of God's Word, is directly related to our success in all that we do in co-operation with Him, following His direction as He builds His kingdom. “Children are a heritage from the LORD…like arrows in the hands of a warrior” (Psalm 127:3-6). A sword is only effective as far as one can reach, but well-made arrows strike far beyond us.
However, Jesus, in Mark 3:25 says: "And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand." And in Matthew 5:23-24: “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift”. Right living is even more precious to God than right giving.
How can we stand with truth as a belt, walk in shoes of peace, operate in faith in God and keep the Word of God in mind, ready for use, if our thoughts are taken up with discord and concern about those we love, whom God has given us to work out our lives day by day? How can the Lord command His blessing if we are not dwelling together in unity at home? Yet, where there is unity among family, the Lord's rich blessing and victory can flow into every part of our personal, professional and social lives.
The clear message from Dr Clifford Hill in his article 'Back to the Bible', in the most recent edition of HEARTnewspaper, is that most of our social problems share the same root: that of family breakdown. Much of the budget of our local council and probably those of many others is spent on meeting the cost of family breakdown in its many manifestations (including abuse, addictions, deprivation, stress-related illnesses, loneliness, homelessness, lack of care for the elderly, and the need for women and children's refuges and prison work).
The social values which have come from our biblical heritage include such things as honesty, respect, absolute values of right and wrong, responsibility, generosity and consideration of others. Many of these qualities are communicated from a young age through family life and lead to stability and security. From these values, we have ethics which underpin the freedom of speech and peace we have enjoyed for generations.
Bedrock of the Nation
The historic nation of Israel was built on the structure of family. When God chose Abraham to be the father of the Jewish nation, it was because he would direct his children to keep the way of the Lord (Gen 18:19). Such is the value that God gives to the nurture and education of children by their parents. The families of Isaac and Jacob became clans which soon led to the formation of the nation of Israel. Even today Israeli people have deep family ties and traditions which have historically been the bedrock of their survival and, these last 70 years, their revival.
Back in Britain, the question has to be asked: have we, as a nation, taken the value and structure of family life for granted to the extent that it is being ignored, forgotten and neglected?
Just as an army trains its soldiers to work and live together for the strength of the whole, a family is enriched as each member helps and encourages the others to be strong in the Lord, to stand together and, having done all, still to stand - in peace, in prosperity and in freedom.
Author: Sally Bolton
