Foundation For A Strong Family

We have seen news footage of flooding where houses have crumbled because their foundations were washed away. Without a solid foundation, no house can stand. Disaster is the result when the foundation is destroyed. As the strength of a building depends on the strength of its foundation, so the strength of a family depends on its foundation.

The Bible tells what a strong family foundation consist of. Please consider that a strong family is…

1. United in Christ. The foundation of a strong family begins with spiritual compatibility. When a home is divided religiously, problems are compounded. The Corinthian brethren had problems because of mixed marriages. However, both Paul and Peter make it clear that a Christian married to a non-Christian is not a sinful relationship (1 Cor. 7:12-14; 1 Pet. 3:1-6). Yet, it is obvious that the home that is religiously divided is a home with problems. When one of the marriage partners is committed to Christ and the other is not, what will be the children be taught? Where will the emphasis be in regard to recreation, giving and involvement in church attendance and activities? The strongest home is a Christian home where both father and mother are deeply c

2. A Commitment Relationship. A strong family is built on the committed relationship of husband and wife. A marriage that is pleasing to God begins with leaving father and mother and cleaving to each other. “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). The word “cleave” means “to adhere to” or literally, “to be glued” to one another (see Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary). This “glue” is called commitment! There is no problem too great to overcome in marriage if two people are truly committed to each other.

3. Based on Mutual Love and Respect. A family built on anything less than mutual love and respect cannot weather the storms of life. Paul counseled: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church” (Eph. 5:25). Likewise, he instructed Titus saying, “Train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children” (Titus 2:4).

The kind of love Paul is speaking of is not the perverted, Hollywood type displayed on the Silver Screen. It is a love that is demonstrated in both word and deed. It is demonstrated when both husband and wife speak to each other in a kind and courteous manner. It is demonstrated when words of appreciation and affection are exchanged. It is demonstrated when marriage partners are sensitive and attentive to each other’s needs. Little deeds of thoughtful kindness and consideration from day to day strengthen the foundation of the family.

A family built on this type of foundation is much more likely to succeed in overcoming the turbulent times and
ceaseless challenges that come to every home. May we do all that we can to build on a solid foundation, a family for eternity.