A DYSFUNCTIONAL VS. A HEALTHY FAMILY

The Church is not called to be perfect but righteous. What is the distinction between perfection and righteousness? Genesis 15:6 states: “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Our righteousness has always been defined by our relationship to God. Being rightly-related to God (in that we acknowledge our dependence upon his goodness and not our own) is what, paradoxically, makes us pure and holy in his eyes.

Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish (Eph. 5:25-27). Anyone who is a member of a church knows that every church has its stains and wrinkles and blemishes because we Christians (clergy and laity alike) sin and miss the mark. Every church has its dysfunction as does every human family. Only God can make us holy. Holiness comes when we ask Christ to cover our sins and when we ask our brothers and sisters to forgive us when we sin against them.

The apostle Peter states that Christ’s blood and his love cover a multitude of sins (I Peter 4:8). It follows that if Christ forgives us then we are to forgive one another (Matt. 6:15). There is nothing more beautiful than forgiveness. We as Christians should be the first to forgive (particularly one another) because we know the One who forgave us.

Finally, a healthy family and church is one that is free—free from legalism (Gal. 5:1-6), “sexual immorality, idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy, and drunkenness” (Gal. 5:19-21). Instead, a healthy family and church is one that demonstrates “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal. 5:22). It is patient and kind, it does not envy or boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, nor is it not self-seeking. It is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. It does not delight when evil befalls one of its own, but it rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. It never gives up (I Cor. 13: 4-8). Some of the greatest abuse and betrayal has happened in our families and in our churches. In these last days, may our churches become healthy families so that those who need a home will come to us and find their heavenly Father and brothers and sisters who love them.