Faith at Home

S

(1 Timothy 2:15) Yet she will be saved through childbearing--if they continue in faith and love and holiness with self-control.

O

This verse links our first redemptive prophecy (Genesis 3:15--I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel"), the church's victories over hell's attacks (Romans 16:20), and Christ's advent and ultimate eradication of all evil (Galatians 4:4; Ephesians 1:22,23). Note the important transition from Paul's reference to Eve ("she") to God's family of the both the daughters of Even and the sons of Adam ("they"). In this verse, too, we see our mandate for "Faith at Home." In our homes rests the literal salvation of the human race--males and females. In a humble home came the apex of humanity--the only begotten Son of God, as well as Christ's co-champion, the Church, which is His family.

A (Personal)

The responsibility of producing and equipping the next generation for godliness is of overwhelming urgency. And this verse captures the simplicity and joy of that task. Adam Clarke said it well: "Without faith, it is impossible to please God, or to be saved; and without love, it is impossible to obey. Faith and love are essentially necessary to holiness and self-control; and unless both men and women live in these, they cannot, Scripturally, expect to dwell with God forever."

A (Psychological)

Perhaps there are very few Bible verses so caustic to our culture as this, especially when it is misconstrued as being misogynous. Perhaps this verse and such discussions pertain exclusively to the realms of spirituality, not psychology. Perhaps. So I'll reframe the issue. The box that contains spiritual issues is so big and relevant that I cannot think of any issue that does not rightly belong in it. Psychology, with all of its elements and schemata, rather than being aloof and apart from this discussion, is but one strand of insight that contributes to these larger spiritual issues. Psychology finds its rest and cohesiveness only "under Christ's feet" (Ephesians 1:22).

P

Lord God, in Eden, You told my first parents of the long strife Satan's seed would have against each generation of people. I can only vaguely view my role in this struggle, but I see enough to know that I am responsible for helping the next generation to trust You, to love You, to yield themselves purely to You, and to govern their lives accordingly. I commit myself afresh to do that today.