Ephesians 6:1-3
My wife Angela and I are a blended family. I met her kids at the ages of 5 and 7, and she met mine when he was 2. The first step of this relationship is easy because we are just establishing a report and have not yet focused on forming boundaries. Rules are a little loose and the focus tends to be on enjoying time together and showing love for one another. But this stage does not last forever, and at a certain point the love that I have for them grows and the standard by which I hold them grows as well. Now I am a father of 3 amazing kids but much like any other discipline, obedience does not come naturally to them. In fact, ever since the Fall, mankind has been born with this rebellious spirit towards both our heavenly Father and our earthly parents. In our passage in Ephesians, we see that Paul says that this is the first command that comes with a promise. The quality and quantity of your life will be greater if you follow this command to honor and obey your parents. If we want that for our children, what must we as parents do to promote obedience? And why is there such an emphasis on obedience in the first place?
It's no surprise that the world tends to contradict God’s word, and the raising up of children is no exception. Modern society is very quick to see any form of correction as wrong. It’s almost as if the world wants unguided children. While it is not a pleasant part of parenthood, we find that in Proverbs 29, we are instructed to instill and enforce this principle of obedience through discipline and reproof. Left to their own devices they bring shame and pain upon themselves and their parents. We want the best for them, and we want them to place their trust in Christ. Due to the rebellious and sinful nature of man, this can only happen to the extent that the parents are willing to fulfill their roles and steward the children that God has entrusted them with.
As for why the obedience of our children is so important. In John 8, Christ reprimands the Pharisees who claim to be the children of Abraham and calls them children of the devil, because you are the children of that which you place your obedience. “Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here.” (John 8:42a). It is out of love that parents have a duty to teach and enforce the obedience of our children. They will find themselves obedient to something, whether that is sin or righteousness.
As a man myself I see a large need to guide my sons down the right path. I can see the strength they have even at a young age and if left alone, that strength could be very destructive in their lives. I have had many instances where reproof was necessary, and I make a point to ensure that they know that correcting them is an act of love. The absence of love is indifference so the only reason that correction and discipline is necessary is because I love them and want them to see that what they are obedient to is important.
It's no surprise that the world tends to contradict God’s word, and the raising up of children is no exception. Modern society is very quick to see any form of correction as wrong. It’s almost as if the world wants unguided children. While it is not a pleasant part of parenthood, we find that in Proverbs 29, we are instructed to instill and enforce this principle of obedience through discipline and reproof. Left to their own devices they bring shame and pain upon themselves and their parents. We want the best for them, and we want them to place their trust in Christ. Due to the rebellious and sinful nature of man, this can only happen to the extent that the parents are willing to fulfill their roles and steward the children that God has entrusted them with.
As for why the obedience of our children is so important. In John 8, Christ reprimands the Pharisees who claim to be the children of Abraham and calls them children of the devil, because you are the children of that which you place your obedience. “Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here.” (John 8:42a). It is out of love that parents have a duty to teach and enforce the obedience of our children. They will find themselves obedient to something, whether that is sin or righteousness.
As a man myself I see a large need to guide my sons down the right path. I can see the strength they have even at a young age and if left alone, that strength could be very destructive in their lives. I have had many instances where reproof was necessary, and I make a point to ensure that they know that correcting them is an act of love. The absence of love is indifference so the only reason that correction and discipline is necessary is because I love them and want them to see that what they are obedient to is important.
Posted in Devotional