In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, itâs easy to lose sight of what truly matters. We spend countless hours at work, running errands, and managing our households, but how often do we pause to consider the spiritual foundation of our homes? Today, letâs explore the profound concept of a âGospel Homeâ and what it means to intentionally build our lives around the worship of God and the good news of the person and work of Jesus Christ.
The story of Joshua and the Israelites provides a powerful backdrop for this reflection. After freedom from slavery, years of wandering in the wilderness and conquering the Promised Land, Joshua gathered the people for a pivotal moment of decision. He challenged them with these immortal words: âChoose this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lordâ (Joshua 24:15). A Gospel home recognizes that God has gone before us. We love Him because He first loved us.
This declaration resonates across the centuries, calling us to examine our own lives and homes. What do we truly worship? What sits at the center of our existence? These arenât just abstract theological questions â they have profound implications for how we live each and every day.
The reality is that everyone worships something. We are created for worship; itâs part of our very nature as image-bearers of God. The question isnât whether we will worship, but what or whom we will worship. Joshua recognized this truth and urged the Israelites to make a conscious choice, putting away false gods and committing wholeheartedly to the Lord.
In our modern context, the idols may look different, but the temptation remains the same. The Apostle John, writing centuries later, identified three primary categories of worldly temptation that can lead us astray:
1. The desires of the flesh: Our pursuit of comfort, security, and physical satisfaction at any cost.
2. The desires of the eyes: The coveting of material possessions and the tendency to find our identity in what we own or how we appear to others.
3. The pride of life: A spirit of self-sufficiency that leads us to believe we donât need God or others.
These false gods are insidious, often disguising themselves in seemingly innocuous forms. They donât announce themselves as idols but quietly infiltrate our hearts and minds, promising fulfillment but always leaving us empty.
So how do we build a Gospel-centered home in the face of these challenges? It starts with worship â intentional, committed worship of the one true God. This isnât just about attending church on Sundays (though thatâs important). Itâs about orienting our entire lives around the reality of who God is and what He has done for us through Jesus Christ. So today, let us echo Joshuaâs bold declaration: âAs for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.â May our homes be beacons of Gospel light, testifying to the transforming power of Christ in every aspect of life.
Luke Wartgow is lead pastor of Carson Valley Bible Church