The love of Christ in a household is a love of specialty, a love of unselfishness, a love of complacency and deep sympathy. When His love binds hearts together, there is a sweetness in every bond, parent to child, husband to wife, that reflects the very union of Christ with His Church. Strive after sanctification in this, and render to Him the full love of your hearts, for we cannot love Him without being moved to love Him more.
Remember His love in your home. Remember the fact of it, and the character of it, that He loved you before the foundation of the world, with a love that surpasses every earthly affection as the great sun outshines a feeble spark. If you would grow in grace and become holy, let this be your constant meditation. His love lifts us from our crookedness and makes us straight, and where that love reigns in a family, they are planted among the upright who love the Lord.
Your household is as a little vineyard of Christ, bought with His precious blood, and tended by His care. See that you serve there with all humility of mind, humility before every act of service, humility during every trial of patience, and humility when all is done. The possession of great love for one another, or even great ability to forgive, will expose you to the danger of pride. Labor, then, for the Church’s sake and for your own soul’s sake, to serve the Lord in your family with a lowly heart.
And what is forgiveness but the very atmosphere of such a home? It is a divine forgiveness you have received, “I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions”, and it is a surprising, complete, eternal forgiveness. Though sins rise up thick, there is forgiveness with God, that He may be feared. And from that fear springs love, and from that love, a ready pardon among yourselves. As God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you, so you forgive one another, not provoked except to greater love and larger kindness. This is the doctrine to preach in every word and look, and to practice upon the knees.
Let your prayer follow the love of God and the patience of your Savior, for these two are joined inseparably. To be directed into the love of God is to see it shine brightest in the patience of Christ toward each of you, how He bore with you when you would not come, how He drew you with constancy when you tugged against the cords. Now, let that same patience adorn your family circle. Enter both at once, and put not asunder what God hath joined.
It is marvelous loving kindness! His mercy toward you is of ancient origin and self-sacrificing passion. Many waters cannot quench His love, nor floods of domestic trial drown it. As you ponder this, you are drawn into Beulah land. There, may the perfume of a renewed love arise, a spark of that eternal flame, bound together in humility, patience, and kindness, reflecting His love in all you do. This is the best path to a deepened faith and a closer walk with Him.