I believe that much of the mental
illness and emotional problems experienced by so many stems from the fact that
they grew up without the security of a home built on love. In any family there
will be conflicts. We all have faults. There are problems that must be dealt
with. These can only be handled properly in an environment of real genuine
love.
Proverbs 15:17 tells how important
love is to the home: "Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted
calf with hatred." "Love...is the bond of perfection" (Col. 3:14) and the cement
that holds when all else fails.
Love suffers long and is kind; love
does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave
rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice
in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (1 Cor. 13:4-8a)
There is no family that cannot be saved
when this kind of love is learned and practiced. It is the love God manifested
toward us in the giving of His only begotten Son (John 3:16; Rom. 5:6-8; 1 John
4:9-10). Such love always wants what is best for others and loves even the
unlovable. It is not just something we say or talk about, it effects our
attitudes and actions.
Love is demonstrated by practicing
the golden rule: "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to
them" (Mat. 7:12). Apply this rule at home in your relationships with other
family members. See what a difference it makes when you build your home on love.
Robert Dodson
©1998 Robert Dodson. Permission granted to use
this article in any manner, as long as:
1) the content is not changed and 2) the name of the author is left on the article.