Thursday, April 14, 2016

Parents: Part of the Package...

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 ESV)
The last half of Ephesians 5 deals extensively with the relationship of husband and wife, and how God designed that relationship to reflect Christ and His Church.  In Paul's mind, there is no chapter break here.  He flows right into the other family ties: children to parents and parents to children. He knew how critical these relationships are to the society and the Christian community. When the family breaks down, everything disintegrates. When we choose to marry ( a good thing!), we often end up with children, becoming parents. We take on responsibilities.  As children ourselves, we do not necessarily choose to be born, or take on that responsibility to our parents.  But because God has placed us there, we have them none-the-less. It goes from generation and keeps things moving. If we do not keep our responsibility, others will not "live long in the land." We all need to do our part.

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