The first sphere of influence: Family. To not care for one’s own family, denies the faith and is an act which renders one “worse than an infidel or unbeliever”
1Tim 5:8 But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.
Let’s put this verse in proper context. This is not merely a singular command. Normally, when we look at the Scriptures, and something is mentioned once, we might see it is something that is certainly important but lacks importance in comparison to those things mentioned multiple times. But in this context, we need to remember what is happening here that Paul is teaching Timothy how to pastor his people, to lead and instruct the church.
This is an instruction to a pastor for body believers for the purpose of teaching them, the church, how to act, and that God was not surprised that we would use this letter, to train other pastors, who are affecting other churches and ministries. Therefore, though this command only is mentioned once in the scripture, the context, the recipient, the purpose of its writing, and the number of people that this would be influencing raise the level of importance in regard to how we perceive it. How we treat it, How we consider its value, and what we do with it.
“Denies the faith” - appears inauthentic - actions contradict one’s confession of faith or being a “Christian” - one’s words and actions fail to identify with that profession - in this case, their actions toward their family contradict one’s professed faith and cannot be identified as Christian, or Jesus’, moral and ethic, by one who sees or experiences that person’s attitude, words, or behavior.
The one who does not provide for his family - is worse than an unbeliever?? Provide for, Peace: making peace, being at peace, even if the one with whom you are working wants no peace
Perhaps one who does not take care of their immediate family is one who refuses to make peace, to make whole - as long as it is up to them - and in doing so is denying the faith, (their thinking, believing, speaking, and acting - including providing that which is most basic, most important, are) contradicting their stated faith, or, their faith and its work in and through them - as Jesus sake “blessed are the peacemakers - they will be called children of God”
As even one who provides a feast, if it is in a house of contention, or home that has no peace, it is better to eat crumbs on a roof…
Proverbs 17:1 Better is a dry morsel [of food served] with quietness and peace Than a house full of feasting (or more appropriately sacrifices as “peace offerings” [served] with strife and contention. AMP (Pr 15:17)
Matthew 5:23-24 Jesus repeated this refrain when he said “when you go to worship, and there you remember someone has something against you, leave the gift and go to your best to be reconciled, and then offer your gift.“
Imitators of God - as dearly loved children… (Eph 5:1-2) - the sincerest form of flattery
As Jesus came to make peace to whoever would receive it, and leave - or - give those who won't up to their own heart’s desire, or lordship, we, when we act to bring peace act as Jesus - who loved even His enemy.
Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
What is it then to be a peacemaker? One who, having themselves experienced God’s peace now longs to bring that peace to others - peace with God, peace in and with self, and peace with one another. As God makes peace with and through us that peace lives at peace with us, so we are to do the same. If we are truly imitators of God, as dearly loved children - of God.
So here’s the truth of providing for one’s own…
Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
So, here we go: as long as it is up to you, be at peace with all people, especially those of your own household.
Romans 12:9-21 Making peace, as long as it’s up to me… and in the heart of another, it may not be up to you, but in your own heart - make peace, from peace: what’s in the heart flows from the mouth (Matt 12:34’ Luke 6:45)
I’ve made peace, but what about them?? Our degree of confusion or disappointment in a certain circumstance will be relative or commensurate to the degree of expectation and exaggerated even more if our expectation is based on the certainty of the result. And we must understand that our peace, being at peace, does not depend on “them” - it is a choice to be at peace as we have peace (Gal 5:22) and it is to choose to harbor peace and allow that peace to rule our hearts.
There is no promise of “peace” realized through the removal of the thing or person that is not peaceable - not even in Phil 4 (as a “peace” from having been removed from a perilous circumstance)
We assume certain types of “peace”
We assume a certain resolution
We assume the other will respond in kind and until they do there is not actually peace, or have done something wrong, or God’s not in this (yet??)
Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful.
Let: do not inhibit or forbid
How do we inhibit or even prohibit?
Hold tight or nurse or indulge or ruminate - to excessively repeat thoughts or think about a problem (to obsess over)
Assume purposeful offense or easily offended as one who feels as though everything is meant to annoy - as others are committed to your being miserable
Exacerbate the situation by perpetuating
Not able to see trials and tests as opportunities worthy of rejoicing through perseverance - CHEERFUL ENDURANCE (not just surviving) one complains, grumbles, and argues - thus inhibiting peace even in the most difficult of circumstances.
James 1 - joy, trials, perseverance, wisdom to see
Philippians 2; 4
Let: allow
To allow, to give permission or by not doing anything to stop it from happening
How do we “allow”?
To grant occupancy - “set Jesus apart as Lord in your heart” (1Peter 3) - see “rule”
Let it in
Let it remain
Promote it
Peace: Tie together in or to a whole - let the peace of Christ rule your hearts - this is the first step
Tied to Him, God in Christ - our Maker, Creator, and to Whom we are being created and conformed
Knowledge (and) truth
security, safety, prosperity, felicity - because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous "the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is"
Why the “peace of Christ” ruling in me, ruling me, first?
Because - 1st it is the “peace of Christ” - that which is of Him to us and in us and for us - that gives us peace at all - as, before Jesus, we knew not peace, but only the occasional “relief”.
Rule or control one’s heart
To direct, control, rule - to govern
Act as an umpire or referee - making the call in a conflict between contending forces - who are those forces? (Romans 7; 8; Gal 5) Arbitrate
My flesh and the Spirit
My flesh and your spirit
My flesh and your flesh
My spirit and your flesh
My spirit and your spirit
The Spirit
How do I promote or keep peace - regardless of their response? Well, after finding your own peace - reminding yourself of God’s peace to us, with us, in us, we now let the Peace of Christ work inus, through us…
Remember the peace you have in Christ - letting Him rule
Not inhibiting God’s peace in to rule in my heart - by dwelling on the things or person with who we are not at peace, by allowing them or my feelings to rule instead
We must grant the peace of Christ - occupancy: who or what are you giving quarter, harboring
Set Christ, and His peace, apart as Lord, or ruler/governor of your heart (1Peter 3)
Not your feelings
Not one’s offenses
Not one’s rights and liberties
Not someone else or the feelings we believe they have provoked
Now let, allow, give permission to, submit to, make subject to - peace and peace’s effect - the thing you would let Lord you
How do we do this?
Colossians 3:12-15
Be thankful - grateful and appreciative
Of Jesus and His work and promises
The one, person and circumstance before you who is providing the opportunity to return Jesus and His peace to Lordship - and to love as Jesus loved - even our (perceived or real) enemy
Instead of your feelings, wants, desires
Back to… Romans 12:17 - that might begin by not avenging oneself
Back to… Colossians 3:16 Work and serve as Jesus, as unto Jesus (because first, we are to love as Jesus loved) then do whatever we do as if it were for Jesus - the recipient of that love is not specified
Back to Romans 12:18-21 - even if they are our enemy - real or perceived (those closest to us)
And one more time, Colossians 3:17
Do you want to be effective and productive in this kind of peace? This peace making? This peace bringing? This peacekeeping? And keeping might be just keeping your own peace in the middle of strife, the loan keeping the peace amongst the people.
There is only one way, and that is to be in view of the peace we have, by the mercy of God, and abide in that piece…
…then make every effort to add to your faith… 2Peter 1:1-15
And how we live amongst the believers, that is the fellowship of believers, should be a (mere) reflection of how we work to provide and promote peace in our homes with our family. Do not be fooled, this goes from the most intense place for this work to the next most intense place.
And remember, this, you and your peace and Jesus’ Lordship, will be tested, again and again, and again…
