The hallowing of the ordinary intercourse of life.
The salutation. Philemon's house had become a church, and the Church was in his house; thereby the household was made holy. Every household should likewise be made holy by the Christian profession and practice of its heads—the master and mistress. A profession of religion alone will not have this effect; there must be the daily practice of self-restraint, forbearance, Christian charity, and mutual love. Religion not wholly or chiefly an intellectual or doctrinal belief, though it is founded upon historical facts and shaped by the truths of the Creed. It is essentially practical; belief issuing in action—"faith which worketh by love" (Galatians 5:6; James 2:20-22).
I. NO KIND OF INTERCOURSE BETWEEN CHRISTIANS BUT IS CAPABLE OF BEING THUS HALLOWED. As e.g. that arising from the relations of husband and wife (Ephesians 5:25-31; Titus 2:4); of parents and children (Ephesians 6:1; 1 Timothy 3:4); of masters and servants (Ephesians 6:5-9; 1 Corinthians 7:21, 1 Corinthians 7:22); of citizens bound to obey the governing power of the state in all things lawful (1 Peter 2:13, 1 Peter 2:14); of friends and equals (John 13:34; 1 Corinthians 8:13); of rich persons and poor persons, unequal in worldly station, but brethren, nothing less than brethren, as they can be nothing more, in Christ (James 2:6-9).
II. HOW THESE RELATIONS ABE TO BE HALLOWED.
1. Speaking generally, by the practice of religions principles. But specifically, by restraining the natural selfishness of human hearts. Love draws people together; selfishness separates them—isolates each in the pursuing of his own objects: "All seek their own, and not the things which are Jesus Christ's."
2. By the endeavor to restrain the tongue from speaking evil (Psalms 34:13). Angry words, retorts reckless of truth and only. meant to wound the hearer, scandal, angry and inconsiderate words to dependents,—what frequent occasions of sin are these! The tongue is the great medium of social intercourse, and it must be brought under control, if that is to be hallowed (James 3:5, James 3:6).
3. The family relation is hallowed especially by family prayer. God dwells in an especial manner in the homes where he has been thus invoked by the family as a whole. Family prayer at once the expression of the Christian character and the means of preserving it and making it purer.