AUG 17

Ephesians 6:1-3
Memorise Ephesians 6:1
“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:”

This is an objection we hear all the time. ‘You don’t understand; you don’t know what my parents are like!’ ‘My parents are the most difficult people in the world to get along with!’ ‘All my mum does is nag all the day long; she doesn’t care about me.’ Recently on Facebook, a friend posted a status that read “Is it wrong to hate my parents? Coz right now I really really really REALLY do...” And the list of complaints goes on. I’m sure you have a few of your own as well. But, is it really right to think this way?

One very important fact that we must realize is this: we did not choose our parents for ourselves, God did. God was the one who willed it that you would be born into the particular family that you are in. He was the one who brought your parents together, and blessed them with you and your siblings. We had absolutely no control over all these things. And so after all that God had done to place your parents over you, He is the one who then commands you to honour and obey them. Do we have any cause for complaint? If we do, then we must take the matter up with God himself!

The instruction given to us in Ephesians 6:1 is clear and simple. It commands children to obey their parents in the Lord: for it is right. That is the one and only simple reason given as to why we should obey – for it is right! It does not say we obey because our parents are nice to us, or that we should obey because our parents are easy to get along with. It simply says that that is the right thing to do, and therefore we should do it. Therefore regardless of how difficult you perceive your parents to be, we must regard them as the God-given authority that has been set over us, and we must simply obey. In so doing, we show forth a good witness of filial piety and respect to our parents. If they are non-believers, they might be moved and encouraged by your testimony and come to see the value of Christianity.

Therefore, unless your parents compel you to commit a crime, or sin against God, we should obey. Even if it means inconveniencing yourself, or putting up with their ‘nagging’ (more like loving encouragements), or taking up your time and effort, we must obey. After all, they have sacrificed so much in bringing you into this world and raising you till now. Is it too much to ask that you obey, honour and respect them?

Thought: I must obey my parents for this is right!
Prayer: Lord, give me a humble, submissive and obedient heart.