This is week three of exploring how to construct a better family. In week one we looked at the importance of building upon God’s foundation. Last week, we talked about the importance of constructing a roof of love. This week, we’re going to focus on how we can construct walls of righteousness that will protect and bless our family.
One of the roles most of men take very seriously is the role of protecting our family. Probably all of us would sacrifice just about anything to ensure the safety of those we love. This is one of the reasons we invest so much in our homes, because our homes offer protection from the various elements of the world. As I’ve thought about how to best protect my family over the years, I’ve come to realize that I, and I think many of us, overlook one of the most important elements: modeling and promoting righteousness.
Sorry to be blunt, but modeling and promoting righteousness within our families is one of the areas where us men often fall flat on our faces. Yet, it is one of the best ways to ensure our family’s long-term well-being. Why? Because living a life of righteousness means that we follow the best instructions for life available: God’s. A lot of times I think we have this image that God sits in heaven rewarding us for good things and punishing us for bad. The reality is that following God’s ways naturally lead to good results, and ignoring God’s ways naturally lead to bad results. Why is this? Its because God gave us certain ways to live because those ways lead to the best life possible. Being righteous does not mean we live life to avoid God’s wrath, it means that we follow God’s route to the best life and eternity possible. So, what does this life look like? Paul lays that out in Galatians 5.
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:19-24
When us and our families follow the ways of the flesh the results will ultimately be poor. Sure, there may be moments of happiness, but they are certain to be fleeting. When, however, we strive to follow God’s ways the results are these fruits Paul lays out: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Doesn’t that sound like to sort of life you desire for your family? Look, none of us will ever be able to protect our family from every negative thing in our world. We can, however, construct walls of righteousness by modeling and teaching the importance of following God. The more our family lives lives of righteousness, the more blessings we are likely to see.
