Moment of Meditation: Children (Ephesians 6:1-4)

Original Broadcast: April 2010

Monthly Theme: Fourth Commandment

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
"Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise),
"that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land."
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,
but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
(Ephesians 6:1-4)

Children

The heart of this commandment is family life. Parents and children regarding each other in the way that God established them in their vocations. Children are to obey their parents as the first of their God-given authorities. Parents are the first role models. The family is where we learn how society works. Children are to learn from their parents.

On the flip side, parents are to teach their children properly. Parents are to instruct their children in what is expected of them and hold the children accountable when their fail in their responsibilities.

After all, that's how we naturally view our heavenly Father. We see the need to uphold our end of the bargain or else He's going to send us to Hell for failing to keep His Law. Thanks be to God that He isn't such a harsh Father. He's a forgiving Father, forgiving us every time we repent of our failures and throw ourselves upon His mercy.

The promise still applies. Honoring the authority figures God has placed in your life will grant you long life--eternal life--with Him in Heaven. Amen.