"Honour Thy Father And Thy Mother."

by Jones, G. A. | Category: For Young Believers | Apr 1955

How familiar are the words, "Honour thy father and thy mother"!

They form part of the commandments given by God to the children of Israel, and also find a place in the commandments of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Therein is seen God's purpose for well-ordered and happy family life.

God wants mankind, and especially His children, to be happy, and no finer contribution can young ones make to this end in respect to their family than lovingly to obey the injunction, "Honour thy father and thy mother."

How sobering to contemplate that in an extremely sad list of evils which degrade man and dishonour God, both in dispensations past, and also in this present evil age, is this solemn expression, "Disobedient to parents"! (Romans 1.28-30; 2 Timothy 3.1-5).

The nations of the world today are becoming increasingly alarmed that homes are being wrecked, and one fatal cause is that children have lost respect for their parents. They disobey and disown them. It is, alas, only too true on the other side, there is the most callous neglect of children by their parents. Children of God are not immune from the possibility of such failures. The doctrine of the Lord is, " Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right" (Ephesians 6.1-3).

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord" (Colossians 3.20).

Perhaps to help us best in a further practical consideration of this matter we ought to take a look at a family together. First, we have the father, often busily occupied with many things; his daily toil, jobs about the home, and, if in the Fellowship, he may have much to do in connexion with spiritual instruction and pastoral work. Then we have the mother. The saying is, "Mother's work is never done." Endless jobs seemingly are her portion.

Read Genesis 37. See Joseph, the son, responding in love to his father. " Come, I will send thee to thy brethren."

Read 1 Samuel 17. See David hearkening to the voice of his father.

Read Luke 2.40-52. See the Lord Himself. Oh how faithfully He honoured His earthly parents! "And He was subject unto them."

Wondrous thought!

Jones, G. A. | Apr 1955
For Young Believers