Even as the Lord ordained marriage, He also has established the home.  We read in Genesis 2:24, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”  Notice that the Lord decreed this before there was a human father or mother.  The principles still apply today.  In marriage, the man leaves behind his father’s home and family and establishes his own.  He is to ‘cleave’ to his wife, or join with her, as the Lord declares that they are now ‘one flesh.’  It’s not that the past families are forgotten about, but this new union between a man and his wife becomes the primary family relationship for them both.

As far as family life and values are concerned, the Lord has not left us without proper instructions.  In marriage, the husbands are to “love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”  (Ephesians 5:25)  The instruction to the wives is found in Ephesians 5:22, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.”  As for the parents, we read in Ephesians 6:4, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”  These are proper and godly family values:  The husband loves his wife in a sacrificial manner.  The wife submits to her husband as unto the Lord.  The parents, especially the fathers, are to raise up their children by teaching them about the Lord and raising them according to the Lord’s standards.

While we often say, and properly so, that the man is to be the head of the house, the reality is that the Lord should really be the head of the house.  1 Corinthians 11:3 tells us, “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.”  The husband, as a follower of Christ, should establish standards and practices for his home as he is led of the Lord.  Christ is head of the church as we read in Ephesians 1:22-23, “And hath put all things under his (Christ’s) feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”  Christ is also rightfully the head of the Christian home.  Men…may we be faithful in following the Lord and allow Him to guide us as to the lifestyle and testimony of our homes.  May we be serious about properly loving our wives.  May we be serious about raising our children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”  What a precious and awesome responsibility we have.  Husbands, along with their wives, should work together to mold their children by words and actions, so that the children will learn to trust in the Lord and to serve Him with their lives.

I hesitate to give much advice about determining family values.  Husbands and wives, be on your knees together, seeking the Lord’s wisdom and guidance in raising your children.  Allow the Lord to lead you in raising your children.  Of course, if you are to ever be a good influence of true Christian character before your children, you MUST live a life in front of them that reflects the love and qualities of the Lord Jesus.  Let your children see you praying.  Let them see you reading God’s Word.  As they grow, get them to join you as you pray and as you study the scriptures.  Remember, if you do not teach your children to love and obey the Lord, the world will teach them NOT to!  (200.6)