Articles
God Ordained The Home
"America's families are in trouble - trouble so deep and pervasive as to threaten the future of our nation" reports Time magazine. Former President Jimmy Carter said, "The breakdown of the American family has reached extremely dangerous proportions. There can be no more urgent priority for the next Administration than to see that every decision our Government makes is designed to honor and support and strengthen the American family." It is commonly reported that one out of two marriages end in divorce, and the United States "leads" the world in divorce statistics. Why?
Adultery and fornication are a way of life to many. Soap operas picture a glorious lifestyle in having an affair with your best friend’s husband or wife. Living together (unmarried) is exploited as an accepted lifestyle and if you are married and not getting along - get a divorce! Is this the kind of lifestyle that God would have us live? The prophet of old, said "For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away (divorce, NKJ)" (Malachi 2:16).
God has ordained three great institutions. One is Civil Government. The apostle Paul says, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour" (Romans 13:1-7).
A second institution that God has ordained is The Church. The apostle Paul again says, "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ephesians 3:10-11).
And a third institution is The Home. Jesus said, "And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matthew 19:4-6). Lord willing, more on The Home next time.
