1 John 3:16


"By this we perceive the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."

Wednesday 13 January 2010

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS: PARENTAL HONOUR

“Honour your father and your mother that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12

This verse begins the second phase of the commandments, which is relationship from man to man. God chose to begin with the home. He started this commandment by saying honour your father and your mother, without referring to any age. The responsibility of honouring the father and the mother is on all people and all ages. When children lean how to honour their parents from the home it will show in how they also honour others outside of the home.

It is contrary for a secular government to cast aside the Scripture and teach society how to raise children humanisticaly. Government policy separates the children from being raised responsibly by Christian parents, and separates the aged to be cared for in its social systems, all the while taking power from the home. The Pharisees and the Scribes also set aside Scripture on the family unit, but Jesus rebuked them openly (Mark 7:10-12).

God encourages parents to train their children. The word train in Hebrew is chanak meaning “to narrow”. The verse can be read, narrow (initiate, discipline) a child in the way he should go… (Prov.22:6). These instructions are not for the government but the parents. God expects children to have training from home then bless the society. A better society starts from the homes.

Apostle Paul preached in the New Testament that this commandment is with promise and this promise is longevity (Eph 6:1-3). This does not mean that parents cannot be wrong, they may be but a child can learn to correct them in wisdom and in love. When this part of the commandment is ignored, the future will be in a mess. God has forbidden its occurrence to them that believe and obey.

No comments: