HOME IS...
David B. Jones

There are many familiar sayings which truly describe the atmosphere of a good home. For example, “Home is where the heart is,” is certainly true. Someone said, “There’s no place like home.” God knew the importance of the home and He established the first one in the garden of Eden. God, likewise, gave instructions so we can have a home designed by Him. A home designed by God will afford many benefits to those living to live righteous in an unrighteous world. The home designed by God is several things rolled up into one.

A FOUNDATION

Foundations for houses and other buildings are laid one block or brick at a time. Each block is connected to the next by mortar. Individually, the blocks are weak, but together they provide a solid foundation upon which to build a building. The home functions according to the same principle. Each precept and thought therein ties to the next to provide the members a solid foundation for the rest of their lives.

All of society is based on the home. Homes make up communities. Communities constitute states and countries. Countries join together to comprise the world. If the home goes well, then it will be essential for the world to do well. However, if the home fails, then the world is doomed to fail also. If there is no respect for authority in the home, there will be no respect for authority in the world. If mother and father are revered in the home, then there will be respect for mothers and fathers in the world. Children who are respected by their parents will respect their children also. We can see that the foundation for life is laid in the home.

The church is also made up of homes. The principle, “As goes the home, so goes the church,” is absolutely true. Paul wrote, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (I Cor. 3:1 1). The wise people will build their homes upon the solid sayings of Jesus Christ. Jesus, Himself, referred to those who do so as wise men (Matt. 7:24).

A FORTRESS

Each teaching enables us to withstand the fiery darts of the Wicked One and his followers. Homes built on the foundation of Christ will be able to endure financial trouble, illness and death. The church will be able to battle false doctrine and the everyday problems which come from a group of human beings.

There are things which Satan will use to tear down the walls of our fortress. If we allow him to do so, he will destroy the security which we have on the foundation of Christ. When the walls are torn, we must not throw up our hands, but rather, we must dig in and rebuild them with the precious promises of Christ.

A home is a fortress against the immorality of the day. In the home Christian parents should teach their children to dress modestly. Parents should themselves, dress modestly and then their teaching will have influence on their children. Parents should lay down these principles in the home so their children can build upon them. Dancing would also fit into this mold. In the home parents should show their children why it is sinful to attend dances, including proms! If more teaching were done in the home on these and other subjects, there would be fewer and fewer of the young people falling into Satan’s trap.

The home serves as a fortress in a mean world for those who are mistreated by their fellow man. Members ought to be able to come home and receive comfort and consolation when they are ridiculed for being a Christian. Paul promised Christians would be persecuted (II Tim. 3:12). When others persecute us, the home serves as a fortress in which we can renew our strength and dedication. Today the home is too often the scene of abuse; whether it be sexual, verbal or physical. Instead of being a fortress, it has become a furnace for those who do not control their tempers and perversions. How tragic it is for a grown parent to abuse his child! There ought to be a warmth and welcome there which guards us from the world.

A FOUNTAIN

The home should be a fountain from which its members drink. Parents should teach their children to drink from the fountain of God’s word.

From this fountain children should drink and learn how to obey the Gospel. If every set of parents saved their own house, think how the church would grow! Sadly, many parents do not see the importance of obeying the gospel themselves.

From this fountain children are to drink and learn how to respect people. Mothers and dads are supposed to respect one another. When children do not see this, they will not respect others. Children ought to learn from this fountain that all men are created equal, regardless of the color of their skin. Men may live in such a way as to not be respected, But this should not be based on the color of their skin. If every home corrected this fountain today, in one generation we would have a peaceful, polite society.

The home serves as a foundation, a fortress and a fountain. What is the condition of your home? Parents, are you mindful of the great responsibility you have? If your children follow your example where will they be in eternity?