Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

A Happy Home And Happy Church

1 Peter 3:8 – Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

THEME OF THE DAY. A HAPPY HOME AND HAPPY CHURCH. I am sure the theme of the day creates curiosity because everyone of us want to be in a happy home and happy church not only for our enjoyment, but for the testimony it gives of the Lord’s wonderful love and grace. As Christians, an unhappy home and church are not places where the sweet fragrance of Christ exists. Such a church and home have drifted from the only source of happiness; the Lord Jesus. Now I am not saying this is easy or that periods of challenges in both our homes and churches to maintain the spirit of happiness don’t exist. Remember, both of these glorious institutions of the Lord they are made up of sinners; yes, Christians, but Christians who still sin. And when it comes to a home or church being consistently marked by unhappiness, the root cause will always be sin and particularly the sin of selfishness by the people in both places. Yet, we can develop happy homes and churches if we are willing to put forth the effort and continue to strive for both being havens of rest and foretastes of heaven. And it all centers on the glory of God in two directions.

As Christians, we have a privilege and responsibility wrapped up in one statement found in these words from the Apostle Paul, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). In all our conversations and activities, we are to live in a constant awareness of the Lord’s Presence and strive to bring Him glory in both. Our speech is one of the greatest revealers of our spiritual health. And when it comes to our activities, they are to be done as if Jesus Christ Himself is doing them with us which He actually is because He lives in us. So, let the “doing” of all things in our homes and churches be guided by the glory of God. It will lay the firm foundation for a happy home and church.

But there is something else about the Christian life and God’s glory. We are not only to “do” all things for His glory; we are also to reflect His glory in all the places we find ourselves and especially in our homes and churches. The greatest influence we will have upon our loved ones in our homes and our brothers and sisters in our churches is our growing likeness to the Lord Jesus. Robert Murray McCheyne once said, “It is not great talents God uses most, but great likeness to His Son He uses most.” And this likeness or this reflection of Christ’s glory, is defined by the Fruit of the Spirit – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). But how would we know if this Fruit is growing and flourishing in our lives and influencing the people around us in our homes and churches as we reflect Christ’s glory? Today’s scripture.

When a Christian is growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus evidenced by the Fruit of His Spirit being developed in the heart, there will be at least three character traits present and manifested outwardly in our relationships with people. First, there will be a spirit of unity in our relationships. And the key way to have and maintain unity is not to insist on having our own way. That doesn’t mean compromise truth, but it does mean we don’t operate with the attitude “my way or the highway.” Next, will be a loving, sympathetic, and tender heart. We will see this in our reactions to people who might be displaying attitudes and actions very unChristlike, even hurtful to us. Instead of engaging them as a Pharisee, we will pause, pray, and consider what they might be going through. Remember, love is patient and slow to anger. A third trait in a person contributing to a happy home and church and manifesting the Fruit of the Spirit will be humility. We will see this in our active service to others and attitude of edifying them with encouraging words and actions. Basically a humble servant of Christ will put the needs and interests of others ahead of their own.

So, a happy home and church? It is possible. It begins with learning to abide in Christ that leads to a Fruit of the Spirit life and followed by relationships built on unity, love, and humble service to those in our homes and churches.

PRAYER: “Father, help me to flower all my relationships with the Fruit of Your Spirit.”

QUOTE: “When Christ is the center of our lives, despite our sin, our homes and churches will reflect spiritual beauty.”