12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12 NIV
I have thought much on this, as of late, and reflected upon my place as someone's son and what God's word has to say about it. For some, this is probably the place of their deepest hurts, disappointments, and unresolved matters of the heart. Who is more like the image of God in a child's eyes than the parent? We want their approval, need their affection, and for a time their disappointment is crushing. As I grew older, I esteemed my mom less, and I challenged her more. When I left to find my own way, in disregard of her rules, religion, and moral standards, I judged her for all mistakes both present and past. Why should a sinner have to listen to another sinner, and isn't my own way more fitting and less dated? I chose to be my own parent, to place my faith in myself, and to practice what was convenient. The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. 2Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. 3To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.…Proverbs 21:1-3
Were my mother's failures and inconsistencies grand enough to merit my rebelliousness or even so consistent that I should not hear her instruction? 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6. No, it is a poor train of thought that rationalizes one's own behavior based upon another's. I wanted my own way, I hated authority, discipline and all else that challenged my arrogance. As a father now I look back and am amazed that a single mom did more to ensure that I knew about God than I have done for my own children. She made sure we made it to church, she prayed with us and for us. What of the children, you might ask, whose parents are not so wonderful? It is often the situation that the person in authority does not have the integrity that should be integral of the position. Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 1 Timothy 2:1-3NKJV. So we are instructed to pray for those in authority over us, and theirs is to hold up to the kind of integrity that ensures a quiet and peaceable life. A Christian may walk in the peace of God's rest and His work regardless of those who may not rule justly. The child directed by the parent to lie, steal or harm another, need not comply, but should respectfully decline. None the less, it is not opportunity to hate or despise, but rather intercede on behalf of the authority, go to the Father of the fatherless. And what of me, if I am in the vicinity of such a child? If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. 27Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:26-27. It always points back to the example of Christ and that is the life to be desired. SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH. 4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:3&4. We are told that honoring our father and mother is the first commandment with promise, that it may be well with us. My mother tried to provide for us, loved me when I acted most unlovable and did me the greatest service of this life, in that she directed me towards things eternal. I pray for the children who have only felt pain or neglect from their earthly parents; we are all children.
I have thought much on this, as of late, and reflected upon my place as someone's son and what God's word has to say about it. For some, this is probably the place of their deepest hurts, disappointments, and unresolved matters of the heart. Who is more like the image of God in a child's eyes than the parent? We want their approval, need their affection, and for a time their disappointment is crushing. As I grew older, I esteemed my mom less, and I challenged her more. When I left to find my own way, in disregard of her rules, religion, and moral standards, I judged her for all mistakes both present and past. Why should a sinner have to listen to another sinner, and isn't my own way more fitting and less dated? I chose to be my own parent, to place my faith in myself, and to practice what was convenient. The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. 2Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. 3To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.…Proverbs 21:1-3
Were my mother's failures and inconsistencies grand enough to merit my rebelliousness or even so consistent that I should not hear her instruction? 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6. No, it is a poor train of thought that rationalizes one's own behavior based upon another's. I wanted my own way, I hated authority, discipline and all else that challenged my arrogance. As a father now I look back and am amazed that a single mom did more to ensure that I knew about God than I have done for my own children. She made sure we made it to church, she prayed with us and for us. What of the children, you might ask, whose parents are not so wonderful? It is often the situation that the person in authority does not have the integrity that should be integral of the position. Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 1 Timothy 2:1-3NKJV. So we are instructed to pray for those in authority over us, and theirs is to hold up to the kind of integrity that ensures a quiet and peaceable life. A Christian may walk in the peace of God's rest and His work regardless of those who may not rule justly. The child directed by the parent to lie, steal or harm another, need not comply, but should respectfully decline. None the less, it is not opportunity to hate or despise, but rather intercede on behalf of the authority, go to the Father of the fatherless. And what of me, if I am in the vicinity of such a child? If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. 27Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:26-27. It always points back to the example of Christ and that is the life to be desired. SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH. 4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:3&4. We are told that honoring our father and mother is the first commandment with promise, that it may be well with us. My mother tried to provide for us, loved me when I acted most unlovable and did me the greatest service of this life, in that she directed me towards things eternal. I pray for the children who have only felt pain or neglect from their earthly parents; we are all children.
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