Word@Work Eph71 - Ephesians 6:1-3
Published: Tue, 01/13/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
TRAINING THE APPRENTICE
Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honour your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise - "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." (NIV)
The Bible rarely speaks to children directly, but it does here. The Old Testament commandment is given a new lease of life by the Apostle. Unlike today's confused parenting in which children have increasing rights and parental authority is diminished, the Christian parent has clear biblical guidance. What a relief to know that it is God's will that children should honour and obey their parents. Much of the law given to Moses has found its fulfilment in Jesus Christ, but not this one. God knows that today's children do not have the information, the wisdom or the maturity to be able to decide their own future. They need help and guidance. But without the willingness to respect their elders, they cannot learn, except the hard way.
In a world culture riddled with the depressed offspring of family breakdown and feral teenagers, we should ask why. The answer should be obvious: either the parents do not care or they do not believe they have the right to instruct and gently discipline their children. That is why we need to hear what God says in the Bible. When fathers and mothers start to exercise their God-given role of wise mentors, to the point where they can become friends with mutual respect, then homes will change and society will transform. The promise of longevity and blessing is no bribe; it is the real consequence of God-prescribed behaviour.
The working parent needs to keep this in mind. Working round the clock to provide money for the family does not ensure the regular provision of quality time that is the birthright of every child. The heavy overtime commitment that buys toys can never buy love. So the workplace may even be the undoing of the family instead of its provision. That is why Christian men and women need to regularly re-evaluate their commitment to work in the light of their responsibilities at home. Sacrifice of time and bonding will happen in most families (those serving abroad feel it most keenly); but when sacrifice is really an excuse to avoid the parenting responsibility ... there is a real problem. Children cannot know how to please God and therefore be secure, unless it is taught and modelled. If you are a parent, nobody else can do that job for your kids.
Prayer: Dear Lord. I really do want the children I care about to have the best opportunity to know what is right and true. I know that they should look to me for this. Please help me to set my work into a pattern that includes them and in which they know that they are valued. For Christ's sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
The Bible rarely speaks to children directly, but it does here. The Old Testament commandment is given a new lease of life by the Apostle. Unlike today's confused parenting in which children have increasing rights and parental authority is diminished, the Christian parent has clear biblical guidance. What a relief to know that it is God's will that children should honour and obey their parents. Much of the law given to Moses has found its fulfilment in Jesus Christ, but not this one. God knows that today's children do not have the information, the wisdom or the maturity to be able to decide their own future. They need help and guidance. But without the willingness to respect their elders, they cannot learn, except the hard way.
In a world culture riddled with the depressed offspring of family breakdown and feral teenagers, we should ask why. The answer should be obvious: either the parents do not care or they do not believe they have the right to instruct and gently discipline their children. That is why we need to hear what God says in the Bible. When fathers and mothers start to exercise their God-given role of wise mentors, to the point where they can become friends with mutual respect, then homes will change and society will transform. The promise of longevity and blessing is no bribe; it is the real consequence of God-prescribed behaviour.
The working parent needs to keep this in mind. Working round the clock to provide money for the family does not ensure the regular provision of quality time that is the birthright of every child. The heavy overtime commitment that buys toys can never buy love. So the workplace may even be the undoing of the family instead of its provision. That is why Christian men and women need to regularly re-evaluate their commitment to work in the light of their responsibilities at home. Sacrifice of time and bonding will happen in most families (those serving abroad feel it most keenly); but when sacrifice is really an excuse to avoid the parenting responsibility ... there is a real problem. Children cannot know how to please God and therefore be secure, unless it is taught and modelled. If you are a parent, nobody else can do that job for your kids.
Prayer: Dear Lord. I really do want the children I care about to have the best opportunity to know what is right and true. I know that they should look to me for this. Please help me to set my work into a pattern that includes them and in which they know that they are valued. For Christ's sake. Amen.
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