Command of Obedience Linked to Promise

© 2015 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

We all like promises of good things from someone in authority. God gives a command to children which is linked to a promise!

“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).

Many years ago, I heard a story about a child who was out walking with his parents. The child was walking between the rails of a railroad track when his parents saw a train coming. With no time to grab him, they yelled, “Johnny: Lie down!” Johnny immediately lay between the rails of the track as the train passed over him. Because of his immediate obedience his life was saved! This story illustrates the promise which comes with God’s command of obedience.

How do parents teach their children to obey? First, they must understand that the child must learn to obey both parents.

“My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:” (Proverbs 6:20).

If either parent allows the child to dishonor the other, that parent undermines his or her own authority. Each parent must uphold the authority of the other. It is more effective for the father to say “obey your mother,” than for the mother to say, “obey me!” Likewise the mother must uphold the father’s authority. If either parent fails in this endeavor, the child’s respect for both parents will suffer.

There is, however, an even more important issue at stake. As Christian parents teach their child to obey their own authority, they lay the groundwork for that child to obey God’s authority. This has eternal consequences. God the Son, Jesus, came to die as the only perfect sacrifice to pay for the sins of His people. All whose hearts God brings to repentance and faith in Christ, receive eternal life. God commands obedience in this matter.

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” (Acts 17:30).

Will you obey this command and instruct your children to do so?

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right” (Ephesians 6:1)!

 

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