Who Runs Your Home? You or Your Kids?
Baptism is not a flu shot. It’s not a situation in which you are baptized and then you are “covered” for life.
Jesus spoke about the narrow way that we must be on in order to get to the narrow gate (Matthew 7). John admonished that we should be faithful unto death in order to receive a crown of life (Revelation 2:10). Peter and Paul also wrote about fleeing immorality, putting on the new man, and being holy. Obviously, the New Testament indicates that we continue to grow in faithfulness.
Is this the behavior you accept in your home?
Yet, the lives of many young people do not reflect this truth. For example, it is amazing to me how many young people do not honor and respect their parents. This sickening epidemic can even be seen in young adults in their 20s who talk down to, openly rebel against, and manipulate their parents. The same thing can be witnessed in a school classroom where teachers are talked down to and given little to no respect.
And, sadly, this is even happening in the church. On any given Sunday Christian young people can be seen rolling their eyes or ignoring their parents or Bible class teachers. Children can be seen talking down to their parents or throwing fits to get their way. What’s going on here? Who is actually running the home?
Here’s what I intend to teach my children regarding honoring and respecting their parents.
The words honor and respect are often used synonymously. Simply put, to honor or respect someone means you are showing them admiration or showing esteem to them. God used these words in expressing how children should act toward their parents. Notice in Ephesians 6:1 Paul uses the phrase “obey your parents in the Lord,” pointing out that it is important that the parents not be going against the will of God.
So what does this mean for you? Please hear me loud and clear on this: When you have children it is not right or acceptable for your child to boss you around or make the rules in your house. If you allow this then ultimately you will raise children who do not honor and respect their heavenly Father.
Likewise, just because you are of adult age does not mean you get to suddenly set aside passages of the Bible you don’t personally agree with like honoring your parents. Even if you are in your mid-20s, you should still show honor and respect for your parents. My parents are now in their 70s and I still give them honor and respect.
Christian young people—of ALL young people—should be leading the way in demonstrating honor and respect toward their parents. It is easy to love and respect someone when they grant your requests or give you everything you ask for. The true test comes when you don’t get your way or don’t agree. You should honor and obey your parents even when you don’t agree! Right now our culture is suffering because young people think the world revolves around them and they do not respect authority.
It is WAY PAST time that we return to what God’s Word says on this subject. Over and over Scriptures command children to honor their father and mother. Exodus 20:12 states: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” (See also Ephesians 6:1-4; Deuteronomy 5:16), It also indicates that children are to obey your parents (Colossians 3:20; Proverbs 1:8).
Why is all of this important? Because the way you treat your parents reveals a great deal about how you will likely treat God. If you dishonor, disrespect, and disobey your parents then you will likely treat God the same way.
Study carefully passages like Deuteronomy 21:18-21. God was not playing around about children who were rebellious and disobedient. When you grow up please remember that if your child is not honoring or respecting you there is a good chance his or her soul is in jeopardy—because they are probably not honoring or respecting God either. Keep on studying.