Each one of the ten commandments are still important for every person who lives upon this earth. Not just to believers in Jesus, but all who have breath. It is because by obeying these laws, this world would be a better place. A place with less fighting, but more loving. It is because the first half of the commandments refer to loving God, whereas the last half refers to loving one another as ourselves. Speaking of one commandment, namely the fifth, it would really help everyone if they did this one thing. It reads, “honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” (Exodus 20:12) I know that most of you know about this commandment, but how many people have forgotten about its importance? We should all look inside our own lives and see if we have been honoring our father and mother. I am not talking about just honoring mom, but dad also. And I am not talking about honoring dad, but not mom. Things may have happened in your lives to cause a right between a certain parent, but allowing God to men those pains and learn to forgive is what He desires.
Paul wrote the following when it comes to children obeying their father and mother. It reads, “children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3) The same promise we learn in the old covenant, which says we will live long upon the earth is still a promise now when we obey our parents. And when it comes to how each parent should act in order for children to obey their parents, it is written, “wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” (Colossians 3:18-21) It starts with husbands and wives respecting and loving one another as God see’s fit. The Lord needs to be in the mix for then their children to want to obey their parents. Now, as believers in Christ, learn to love your parents, for this is pleasing unto the Lord, our God. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that You will guide me, my wife, and my children’s lives. There are so many evil influences in this world and it would be so easy to leave the faith for them. I pray this never happens to anyone in my family. I know that I cannot control this when it comes to my wife and kids, but things will be much better off if they simply remember what You’ve said in the Bible. Help my children to also remember what I and my wife have taught when it comes to prayer and the importance of the bible and church. My wife has done so much when it comes to making them feel comfortable praying and attending church service. We have taught them things that only You could teach us, and I give You thanks and all the glory. May my children grow up in the faith, while also, one day, raising up their own family in the faith. I pray that my two daughters will continue to honor us as they honor You, Lord, in heaven. Help me and my wife to also honor our mothers, who are still alive. You have taken home our dads, but we know they are in a better place. I love You, Lord. Have Your way in my life. Amen.
