Walking Through Ephesians
“Walking Through Ephesians - Day 12”
Categories: Walking Through EphesiansEPHESIANS 6:1-9
It all starts at home. The home is an important place. It’s the place where the mask comes off and people see us for who we truly are. We can put on a good face in public, but at home our true colors show. At home the first impressions are made – about God, Jesus, the Bible, the church, about responsibilities, respect, honesty, authority – these truths are first taught and seen in the home.
Our homes matter to God. The Psalmist wrote: “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” (PSALM 127:1). God has a plan for our homes. God has a plan about man and woman - what makes a man a man, what makes a woman a woman. God has a plan for marriage (roles and expectations). God has a plan for our children (how to raise them to know and love the Lord, to respect authority, to live holy lives). At times this plan is communicated through straightforward commands. At times this plan is shown through the lives of those recorded in Scripture.
There’s an excellent glimpse of God’s blueprint for the home in Ephesians 6:1-4. Here Paul lists expectations for children to their parents, and for parents toward their children.
What caught my attention this time reading was the emphasis in verse 1 - Children are told to honor their parents. One of the compelling reasons to keep this command is that it produces a number of blessings in our lives. Paul calls the 5th commandment the first commandment “with a promise” (EPH 6:1). What’s the promise/blessing associated with obeying this command?
§ When parents are honored long life is the result – “…that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” The principle application of this is to the Israelites. If they would honor their parents, they would live godly lives and the Lord would allow them to live long in the land of promise. But when they started to abuse their parents they would lose the land. Today’s application sounds like this, “As the family goes, so goes the nation.” Another application would be that if a child is attentive to the instruction of his or her parents they will avoid many of the sinful ways of the world that prematurely end one’s life
§ When parents are honored a good life is the result – quantity of days is coupled with quality of days when Moses gave the 5th commandment in DEUT 5:16. A life that begins and continues with honoring parents results in the good life, a life where things go well with you. When parents are honored a child will be able to steer clear of many of the sinful ways that bring sorrow and suffering, and will be guided in the right way – the way of peace and truth -the way that is right (EPH 6:1)
§ When parents are honored the Lord is pleased – that’s what Paul established in COL 3:20. When parents give instructions, guidelines, expectations and they are kept, children are not merely obeying their parents – they are ultimately obeying the Lord. Children are to obey their parents because they are their parents, and because the Lord expects it. Blessings and pleasing of the Lord works the same way.
§ When parents are honored you may expect to be honored yourself – one reason why children may show so little respect for their parents today is because they do not see it modeled in their parents. But, most likely, you can count on being treated in jus the same way your children saw you treat your parents.
While the command doesn’t require it – “honor your parents if they are honorable” – if we set the example for our children, they will have a better chance of following in our footsteps, of choosing the honorable path in life, than not. The righteous who walks in his integrity-- blessed are his children after him! (PV 20:7)
What kind of example should we set for our children?
§ Deal fairly with them – they are children. Don’t demand perfection. Temper your temper with forgiveness and grace.
§ Enfold the word of God – we might think that to teach the word of God we need those formal moments around the table with the Bible opened (and those are important) - And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. (DEUT 6:6-7) – through the day, along the way… I want to take this role seriously – I am a teacher of God to my children. I need to speak about God throughout the day – pointing to Him as often as I can. Through creation, through current events. In sports – life is bigger than sports – look for ways to connect with people who are disconnected with God – be a good sport, be honest, be a good neighbor – be like Jesus. I want to model God to my children – to lead and point the way with kindness and compassion – to be serious about the things that matter the most – for them to see me in the Word and in prayer – because I do them naturally everyday. To show them what it means to be a spouse, to be a worker, to be a worshipper, to be part of this local church in my actions and my words.
§ To enjoy the journey – to let them be children, to enjoy the life that God gave us – to be accessible, a listening ear, present and available to my children
§ To lay the foundation of love – they will never wonder – even in bad days – they will know through my words and actions that I love them unconditionally, always.
“Loving God, You have given us the precious gift of our families, our spouses, our children, gifts we are so indebted to You for – gifts that leave us feeling so undeserving of such incredible blessings. In all the times we feel inadequate in our roles, help us to find the comfort and strength in Your words to continue on, and to lead our families through our words and examples close to You. Please bless our homes, our spouses, and our children, that we live this life in love together, and enjoy an eternity at home with You, our wonderful Father.”
