The Role of the Man in the Home Hasn't Changed
From the first pages of the Bible we discover man in a difficult situation. He has listened to Eve, the wife God gave to Him, who convinced him to eat the forbidden fruit. As a result of his disobedience before God, the Adam family is driven from their beautiful, peaceful home in Paradise.
Instead of living among the ever producing fruit of the original plants, Adam has to now grow his crops as the sweat pours from his body. The ground he plants will produce thorns and thistles along with some eatable herbs. Besides the labor now required to grow his fruit, Adam will now live a number of days and after death return to the dust from which he came.
Throughout history, especially Biblical history, the responsibility of the man has been to be the provider for his family. Even in the much debated Ephesians 5:22-28 scripture passage, where the wife is ordered by scripture to be in submission to their own husband, he is ordered to love his wife even as Christ loved the church. And Christ’s love was a sacrificial love in that He willing gave up His life for the church.
In our more sophisticated, modern society, the role of the husband as provider has changed. In some cases, where impairment or illness has occurred, this role change has become a necessity. In other cases, such as career women, the dual role is selected. And perhaps when children are reared and gone, this can bring relief from financial burdens.
This isn’t a devotion to discus the pros and cons of husbands and wives in the same family going into the workplace. But it is an encouragement for men to take their responsibilities in the home as a very serious obligation. Paul the apostle uses the illustration of a faithful father in his letter to the Thessalonians.
This was a city to which Paul ministered and established a church. The first letter written to these faithful believers is a love letter from the apostle to the people. In it he reminds them of his faithfulness in coming to their city and he wrote For you yourselves know, brethern, that our coming to you was not in vain”(1 Thess. 2:1).
He continued through this second chapter to remind them that he preached to them the Word of God and that he worked with his hands, as a tentmaker, and paid his own way while among them. Then he wrote, . . . as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory”(2:11-12). He uses the faithful father as an example of his ministry among them.
The man in today’s society, as in other days, has many responsibilities. To be the complete man of God in the home, he must learn to balance his life. I’ll only mention three areas today.
First, the man of the house must given time for the wife. She is after all that rib” which God has prepared just for you. The health of a long life depends upon the spark of love never growing so dim it can’t be recognized. If you wish to share 62 years together, as the dear friends of Peggy and myself, D. M. and Ruth Dixon are celebrating this weekend, you better pay attention to her need of your presence, your togetherness for quality time.
Second, in most families, children will come along and be a part of the family. Sometimes, this occurs through the natural birth of the married couple’s love. On other occasions children are adopted into the family. And then, of course, when couples are remarried, step-children are often brought into the home. They too need your time. Time to encourage, to guide, time to listen!
Another important time consumer is the work place. Generally, the man has no control over time spent at work. That makes all the other times important in balancing the man’s life.
Finally, just a short word, as space is evaporating, time must be spent for your church and for your spiritual growth. Along with yourself, your children will need your guidance in understanding how they should live lives worthy of being called Christian”.
Doing the balance act for men is stressful, but it can be done and is being done by many men. Join them today.
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Author: retiredrev
Location: Gloster Mississippi USA
Gender: Male
Age: 73
Blog Entries: 46 (archive)
Blog Comments: 1
at the age of 12, i joined the church because a number of my friends were doing it also. the pastor has talked with me in front of my house while i was playing a rock game and i agreed to join that weekend at the youth led reivival. i...
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i came to know jesus christ as my personal savior at the age of 17. i had joined the church at the age of 12 but no one took me through the scripture and led me to the sinner's prayer. at 17, in a youth led revival in my home...
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