A Successful Home

The Washington Post published a survey of what makes a successful home. There were six things that stood out in that survey. Notice as I list these six principles with supporting scripture showing how they also apply to the church.

  1. Successful families show appreciation for each other.

    Paul to the Philippians, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you" (Philippians 1:3).

  2. The ability to deal with a crisis in a positive manner; a mutual support system.

    When James was put to death and Peter was in prison, the church gathered in Mary's house to pray on Peter's behalf (Acts 12). The Bible says we are to "bear each other's burdens" (Galatians 6:2). When a crisis comes we are to be positive because God said "all things work together for good to them that love Him ..." (Romans 8:28).

  3. They spend time together.

    "Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another" (Romans 12:10). "They continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship" (Acts 2:42).

  4. A strong commitment to each other.

    "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another" (1 John 4:11).

  5. Good communication.

    "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1:19).

    "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man" (Colossians 4:6).

  6. A high degree of religious orientation.

    "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:23-25).

Let each of us make sure we are practicing these things, not only in our homes but here at West-Ark.

Roy Dunavin

West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, AR

Please send questions and comments to:  office@westark.org

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