DEC 8

Colossians 3:20-21
Memorise Ephesians 6:1
“…this is well pleasing unto the Lord…”

Paul now addressed the children in Colossians 3:20-21: “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” Once again, God’s law is good: families are problematic when children rebel. Thus Paul reminded children to obey parents, both father and mother, in all things (all lawful things, read Ephesians 6:1). This is to further maintain the order in the family: children obey their parents, the wife obeys her husband, and the husband obeys the Lord. Paul added an incentive here: that such obedience by children is well pleasing to God. While disobedience to God’s law brings all sorts of family issues, obedience will bring much blessing. Some might argue that their parents are too difficult, or feel that their parents don’t understand them. Yet we must realise that God chose these parents to be authorities over us. Understand that we must obey parents not just because we love them but that in obeying them, we please God. With respect to fathers in this world, there is a tendency for them to provoke their children to wrath by the same authoritative manner that they use with wives, so Paul reminded Christian fathers to watch out for such provocative words or deeds, for that might discourage their Christian children, who may desire to obey their father’s wishes but cannot handle the provocative manner in which he commands them around. The father who always makes unreasonable demands will soon drive the child to rebel in anger and despair. Conversely, the wise father will encourage the child and lovingly instruct him in the Word of God.

This is also an implied reminder to you teens that what most easily gets you to disobey is provocation, and thus you need to recognise exactly what provokes you and pray for temperance. For example, some teens are very sensitive to rebuke, without realising that God’s Word tells us submission to rebuke is essential (eg. Proverbs 13:1). If your parents keep nagging at you to study, it is likely that you have not been doing so sufficiently (I hardly see a parent nagging a hardworking child to study, for fear of driving the child too hard). Some teens are sensitive to parents issuing orders to them, thinking that their poorly educated parents have no business doing so, and must be reminded of their sin of pride. You might argue that you normally do obey parents, but remember that the verse says “in all things” i.e. not just sometimes, when you feel like it, or when it is easy or convenient to, but in all things!

Thought: Do you only sometimes or always obey your parents? Why?
Prayer: May I please God by my continual obedience to parents.