Word@Work Col38 - Colossians 3:20-21
Published: Thu, 07/14/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
OBEDIENCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT
Colossians 3:20-21 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. (NIV)
Children should honour their parents; the fifth commandment says so. Obedience is the simplest proof of honour: such action demonstrates heartfelt respect. Paul is writing to families who claim to follow Jesus Christ: if children cannot obey their parents who they can see, they will have no desire to honour God who they cannot see. Obedient children (providing that their obedience is willing and in response to loving encouragement), are a joy to their parents, a blessing to the church and a glory to God.
The key is 'willing obedience'. Any child can be bullied or beaten into obedience but that is no example of the way our Heavenly Father relates with His children. So Paul instructs fathers to be aware that harsh treatment of a child can produce bitter resentment which may have an effect on their whole personality. A discouraged child will not learn properly or relate properly with others. Their whole lifetime may be coloured by the pain of feeling worthless and useless. So Paul warns fathers never to treat their children in such a way that a destructive root of bitterness can grow up inside them. Instead they should have clear godly instruction, appropriate encouragement, warm forgiveness and much love ... that is the right spiritual and emotional diet for any child.
Where harsh fathering has produced bitterness, the remedy is confession and repentance, not just to God but to the child too. Let your children see how you are growing in grace if you expect them to do the same. When a family tradition has been brutal - break the habit of generations by asking God to help you show love. Where children are disobedient, are they just copying you? Do you show that reverent honour of your parents and your heavenly Father? Where a child is out of your control, don't forget that kindness and encouragement might win them back to their Lord ... and He alone has the power to help them to change. Family life is often a mirror of your relationship with the Lord, so before blaming the child, hear what the Lord is saying to you.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father. Thank You for the example You set of love with clear instruction and patient encouragement with Your children. I am sorry when I relate badly with younger family members and ask Your forgiveness. Please help me to be more sensitive to their needs, more able to teach them the right way and more helpful as I explain how to do it. May I be known as an encourager rather than never being satisfied with their progress. Help me to see the kind way You deal with me as a model of how I can strengthen others. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Children should honour their parents; the fifth commandment says so. Obedience is the simplest proof of honour: such action demonstrates heartfelt respect. Paul is writing to families who claim to follow Jesus Christ: if children cannot obey their parents who they can see, they will have no desire to honour God who they cannot see. Obedient children (providing that their obedience is willing and in response to loving encouragement), are a joy to their parents, a blessing to the church and a glory to God.
The key is 'willing obedience'. Any child can be bullied or beaten into obedience but that is no example of the way our Heavenly Father relates with His children. So Paul instructs fathers to be aware that harsh treatment of a child can produce bitter resentment which may have an effect on their whole personality. A discouraged child will not learn properly or relate properly with others. Their whole lifetime may be coloured by the pain of feeling worthless and useless. So Paul warns fathers never to treat their children in such a way that a destructive root of bitterness can grow up inside them. Instead they should have clear godly instruction, appropriate encouragement, warm forgiveness and much love ... that is the right spiritual and emotional diet for any child.
Where harsh fathering has produced bitterness, the remedy is confession and repentance, not just to God but to the child too. Let your children see how you are growing in grace if you expect them to do the same. When a family tradition has been brutal - break the habit of generations by asking God to help you show love. Where children are disobedient, are they just copying you? Do you show that reverent honour of your parents and your heavenly Father? Where a child is out of your control, don't forget that kindness and encouragement might win them back to their Lord ... and He alone has the power to help them to change. Family life is often a mirror of your relationship with the Lord, so before blaming the child, hear what the Lord is saying to you.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father. Thank You for the example You set of love with clear instruction and patient encouragement with Your children. I am sorry when I relate badly with younger family members and ask Your forgiveness. Please help me to be more sensitive to their needs, more able to teach them the right way and more helpful as I explain how to do it. May I be known as an encourager rather than never being satisfied with their progress. Help me to see the kind way You deal with me as a model of how I can strengthen others. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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