The picture painted of God’s
family is not only perfect, but it appears perfectly ridiculous. Why is this
so? The perfect example of family was marred when Adam and Eve chose to rule
themselves instead of submitting to God’s rule. This world has never seen a
perfect family since. The very concept of a perfect family is foreign to sinful
human kind. It is also completely unattainable. Since sin entered the world
families have become, even in the best situations, horribly marred by sin.[1]
Now the world is filled with dysfunctional families, single parent families,
divorced couples, homosexual families, and many other perversions of God’s
perfect intent.[2]
In a world that accepts any definition of
family that allows for its own desires to be placated and openly scorns God’s
best, how can a perfect family be discussed and what is the purpose? The reason
for discussing the perfect family is found in the discussion itself, namely to
become aware of the goal/ standard/hope to have for families.
“For God is my witness, how I
long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your
love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so
that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and
blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of
righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise
of God.” [3]
What the Apostle Paul desired for
his spiritual children, and that the good work[4]
will be completed in families is the hope.
That is the hope to pray towards, to work towards, and to change
towards. That is the purpose of learning God’s perfect intent for the family.
