The Coolidge examiner., 1937-09-09


INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR
TOPIC-What Makes a Home Christian?
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT
TOPIC-The Influence of Christian
Homes in Nations Life.
Home! The very word stirs our
hearts and quickens the most pre-
cious Of memories. Toward its COM
forting threshold turns the one who
has borne the heat and the labor of
the day. Within its portals are those
who gladly give themselves in sac
rificial service that it may indeed
be a haven Of rest and comfort.
The inroads of modern life and
Of our so-called civilization are do
ing much to break down home life.
All too frequently home has be-
come the place to which one goes
when there is nowhere else to go;
a place to sleep, and sometimes to
eat; an address for mail; a tele-
phone number. How fortunate 1t
is that this should be so, but how
often it is true.
Shall we then abandon the effort
really to maintain true home-one
that is in touch with God, and there
fore ready to serve man? No; for
now as never before we need the
influence Of a home life empowered
by the worship of the true God and
guided by his Word. None of us,
who are engaged in the determined
effort to maintain such a home in
the midst of the driving intensity Of
present day living, speaks too easily
on this subject. We know the diff
culties; we have heavy-heartedly
tasted failure; but we also know the
sweetness of victory. BY Gods
grace we press on.
In his dealings with Israel God
presents to us an example of what
a godly home may be, and what
it will accomplish for the commu-
nifty and for the nation. Such
home
l. Worships the True God wv. 4, 50.
This is 1.-The first and great COM
mandment" Of the law, according
to our Lord Jesus. Matt 22:36,37)
1t is an important part of the Scrip
ture repeated twice daily by all or
thodox Jews. In its context. in Deu-
teronomy 6, it is clearly associated
with the home. 1t is there that he
who is the lone Lord" is to be
loved, which means far more than
that he is vaguely recognized or
distantly respected. This then is
the foundation for real home
loving God with all thy soul and
with all thy might"
III. Honors Gods Word (vv. 18, 19).
Loving God and his Word is not
a matter for theological speculation
or for sanctimonious discussion in
some dark cloister. Thank God
the Christian faith is at its best in
the ordinary affairs of life. 1t finds
its proper place in the tender rela-
tionship of parent and child. It's
teachings are pure, delightful, SIM
pie, and entirely appropriate to any
occasion, whether one sits or rises,
walks, or lies down.. Gods words
are the words to be laid up in the
heart and in the soul, to be taught
to our children, to be the constant
and normal subject of conversation.
HI. Testifies to the Community
(vv. 20, 2D.
We may not, as did the pious
Jew, fasten a little container bear
ing Gods word on our doorpost, but
we may make the home itself and
the life of its inhabitants an effective
testimony for God before our neigh
bors. 1t is obvious that the home
either speaks for or against God.
A profession of faith in him, an
outward reputation for adherence to
religious principles which does not
vitally touch our dealings with one
another and with the community in
which we live-these clearly testify
not for God but against him. On
the other hand, who can estimate
the value of a sweet and orderly
Christian home. Whether it be on
dusty city street, or on a quiet
country lane, it is light that can
not be hid.
~. Serves the Nation (vv. 22-25).
God promised that if Israel dill
gently kept his commandments,
loved him and walked in his ways.
they would be a nation that would
overcome and dispossess their ene-
mics, and prosper in every good
purpose.
Statesmen clearly see that the
home is the unit Of society. 1t was
established upon the earth before
the nation, in fact, before the
church. No nation can ever really
prosper without homes Of the high
est type. Governments therefore en-
courage the building Of suitable
houses, plan for pleasant surround
ings, establish schools, and favor
the building of churches.
But a house without God is not
really home, even though it stand
in the midst of a garden. Neither
the school teacher, nor the pastor of
a church can take the place Of
God-fearing father, and of a mother
who not only knows God but who
can tenderly lead the steps OF trust
ing childhood in the paths OF right