Practicing Bible Principles in the Home - INTERDEPENDENCE

 By your dedication you have become a member of God's family, and can, in truth address him as "our Father."  (Matthew 6:9) This is a spiritual relationship, and takes priority in your life.  However, it does not cancel out fleshly relationships and their obligations.  God started the creation of the human family in perfection, telling them to multiply, with the prospect of countlesss family unites comprising parents and children.  (Genesis 1:28) When Paul said "we are members belonging to one another," he was expressing a fundamental  principle, applying both of hte foregoing relationships. Supporting this,he elsewhere makes extensive use of the human body and its members as an apt illustratio of interdepedence. - See 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-27; EPHESIANS 4:4, 15, 16. 

Appreciation of this principle will be a great help to you. Do you get the point?  Even in the Christian congregation the members belong  not only to God and their Head, Jesuys Christ, but also to one another .  They do not belong to themselves. That promotes hte real conscious unity that you find among Jehovah's witnesses earth wide.  However, due to the adverse pressures of these "critical time hard to deal with," such unity is sadly lacking in family life. As foretold, the prevailing spirit in these "last days" is that of selfishness, ingratitude, and disloyalty.   (2 Timothy 3:1-5)   In many families, each member goes his or her own way, including even the children  at quite an early age. You may feel inclined to do the same, reckoning that you are under obligation to do so, if perhaps you are the only oe in the home interested in true worship. Your tastes and activities are quite different, and you "quit sharing with them in the unfruitful works that belong to ther darkness."  (Ephesus 5:11) All the same, while living in the homeyou are part of a family, and to that extent have certain obligations toward the other members.

What attitude and course should you take? Though your efforts may not be appreciated, look for opportunities, even in small things, to promote family peace and unity. If the others are opposed, do not echo their  indifference and hostility. Do not make an issue over things unless a real Bible principle is involved. Even then, you cannot insist that others observe the right principles, unless as a parent toward your children. When in daily contact with others, remember that actions speak louder than words, unless you are directly challenged or some inquiry is made.  Try to be an example of good Christian living.  Try to show what the truth means to you, in giving you true happiness and contentment and a bright outlook on the future, while at the same time showing sympathy for those hit hard by present circustances.

Next time: Practicing Bible Principles in the Home - DISPLAYING BEAUTIES OF "NEW PERSONALITY"

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