July 19
A Word to Children
"Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God will give you." (Exodus 20:12)
The fifth of the Ten Commandments deals with the family, but in essence establishes the foundation for how we are to treat our fellow human beings. The family provides the strength of our country today. It has been said that a family can survive without a nation, but a nation cannot survive without the family.
In Ephesians 6:1, the apostle Paul says, "Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do." Why should children obey their parents? Because it is the right thing to do. God says this is right. That is all you need to know. It is sort of like when you would ask your mom or dad, "Why do I have to do this?"
"Because I said so."
"But I don't understand."
"I know. One day you will understand, but for now it is because I said so."
What is right and wrong is not based on what we think or on a consensus of what others think is right or wrong. Something is right because God says it is right. Something is good because God says it is good. Needless to say, this flies against the cultural bias of today. Nowadays we hear more about children's rights than we do about their responsibilities. Children are not only expected to rebel, but they are even encouraged to do so. However, this is not God's order.
There is a two-fold promise associated with obeying your parents: First, that it may be well with you, which promises a quality of life. Second, that you may live long on earth, which promises a quantity of life.
Copyright (c) 2004 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright (c) 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.