Ephesians 6:1-4
Verse 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Having talked about the husband and wife it is now time to turn our thoughts to the next tier of the family unit. While the younger generations aren’t often thought of as part of the army of God they hold an important role just as do the adults. They are more than just the Church of tomorrow, they are the Church today.
Children must be viewed as an asset of the Church. They hold roles different than the adults but have roles just the same. They are still in the early stages of their training but these days more than ever they are already on the front lines. This is one reason it is so important they are understanding their role in the Kingdom of God and they aren’t going to learn it without proper instruction.
Children must learn to obey their parents, not just when they feel like it but in every instance. If they never learn the importance of obeying mom and dad, they will never care to obey other persons of authority, most importantly God. Society likes to tell us rules are merely suggestions and we only have to follow them as much as we like but God has a better plan, His rules are to make our life better.
Paul telling his friends that children should obey their parents was nothing more than using commandment number 5. Notice how he even shows how this is the commandment with promise. By obeying their parents, children are promised a long and fulfilling life (Deuteronomy 5:16). We do need to remember this is given to children. The word translated children isn’t talking about descendants of any age, while honoring our parents is something we should do all our lives, obedience is for those who are not yet adults.
This obedience can’t just be in actions either. We know how God loves the obedient heart and that means He is pleased when obedience is done with a heart of love instead of being done grudgingly. This is the lesson we all need to learn as God’s children. He wants us to obey but He is pleased when we obey because we want to. And when we obey Him with loving obedience we will find joy and fulfillment in life. When there is obedience throughout the ranks, there will be better unity among God’s people.
Making It Personal
Is your obedience of God done grudgingly or willingly? Were you obedient to your parents? What disobedience do you need to confess and ask forgiveness for?
Making It Personal Kids
Do you obey your mom and dad? Do you obey because you have to or because you want to? How do you obey Jesus?
Closing Prayer
Father, we repent of all the times we haven’t obeyed willingly and lovingly. Give us hearts which wholeheartedly desire to obey You every time. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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