Never Stop: Loving Family

Genesis 4:1-2 (NIV)
1 Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.”
2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel.
Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.

In addition to a bit of information regarding "the birds and the bees," we receive from these two verses an introduction to the first family.  Adam and Eve did as God instructed (see Genesis 2:25) and the results were Cain and Abel.  While the first family's track record is, to the say the least, less than stellar, they do provide hope.  If that family made it through, surely all of us have a good chance.  What positive examples do we find in the family of Adam?

1. Husbands and wives need to unite and continue as one flesh.  Marriages with a healthy understanding of God-designed sexuality grow in relational strength.
2. Husbands and wives need to avoid blaming.  Earlier in the story, when caught red-handed (fruit-handed), Adam complained to God, "that woman you gave me." He blamed Eve and God.  Later, however, they continued as one.  They also lost a son at the hands of the other son.  Imagine the pain.  Imagine the potential for blame.  Yet we read of no blaming from one parent to another.
   

Genesis 4:25 (NIV)
Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.”

Loving family as a part of our dedication to never stop serving God begins with spouses supporting and loving one another with commitment.  Those couples who have children should then add to their love the care, affection, and leadership for their children.  Notice "add to."  Children deserve love, but the love should not come at the expense of the spouses.  Far too often, parents do not maintain their love for one another as they raise children.  That should not be.

Loving family also includes siblings.

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Psalm 133:1 (MSG)
How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along!

Cain obviously failed that one.  But others have cared deeply for their siblings.  They have each other's back and are just one phone call away.

Jesus tells us, "Love your neighbor as yourself."  (Matthew 22:29)

Your closest neighbors are your family members.
Never stop loving your closest neighbors.

#ordinarylives