Next to loving God comes giving way to Dad. The general principle taught by the fifth commandment is to obey lawful government (Ex. 20:12). The specific application is that children honor parents. Children must please parents in everything (Col. 3:20), with careful qualification (Eph. 6:1–3). Positively, you should elevate and esteem your parents. Negatively, you should avoid any course that demeans or damages them.
Many who read this piece have been reared in Christian homes. Others of you did not grow up in the church and still have close relatives who are not believers in Christ. In such cases, your family is one of your mission fields, but it is one of the hardest mission fields of all. To help you, here are eight principles of witness for those who have unconverted family members, though they can assist those who were raised in a Christian environment as well.
Honor Christ First
The lordship of Christ precedes parental respect. He bought you by His blood. Your life belongs to Him. Nothing should compromise your primary allegiance to your King. The prophet Elisha was permitted fond farewells (1 Kings 19:20). The call of Jesus precludes rivals or delays. “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:37). Shun false religion, banish evil traditions, avoid family sins, and regularize church attendance. Such quiet, wise, obedience can collide with family concerns. A Christian has little choice but to exercise deference to Christ. Yet, know that godliness often aligns with the wishes of unconverted parents.
Love Your Parents
Next to loving God comes giving way to Dad. The general principle taught by the fifth commandment is to obey lawful government (Ex. 20:12). The specific application is that children honor parents. Children must please parents in everything (Col. 3:20), with careful qualification (Eph. 6:1–3). Positively, you should elevate and esteem your parents. Negatively, you should avoid any course that demeans or damages them. Your manner is all-important: not a sluggish sigh but glad compliance pleases God.
Bring Smiles
At home in Nazareth, the parents of Jesus were revered (Luke 2:51). At His baptism and transfiguration, His Father was well pleased (Matt. 3:17; 17:5). God grants grace to help friends of His Son, who submitted fully to Him. Newly converted disciples will seek parental joy. Some parents will be glad that the gospel has tamed a “wild child.” Others will be cheered by a once-selfish teen who now puts parents before self. When formerly obnoxious angst morphs into obedient acts, worried moms and dads are less wrinkled and more relaxed. Even pagan parents can grasp the value of proverbs that applaud a godly child (Prov. 10:1; 17:25).
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