"Honor your father and mother so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." (Exodus 20:12).Why should we obey our parents? Notice at the end of this Commandment it says, "… so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." (Exodus 20:12)
So not only live long, but it also says, "In the land your God is giving you." He is not only talking about individuals; He is talking about society because when the family unit breaks down, the society breaks down too.
Take a look around you. Respect for parents and family is certainly something we have lost sight of in our culture. I'm going to be incredibly un-PC right now and say that many of the Baby Boomers that became parents created a generation of spoiled children. It’s been my observation that as a result of this spoiling, many of today’s parents spend more time trying to negotiate with their children than establishing who is in charge in the first place.
The best they can come up with after the negotiations fail is more idle threats, ridiculous bribes, or the ever popular, “time out." Heck, just the sound of my dad's footsteps coming down the hallway used to shut us kids right up. I understood as a child that my Dad was in charge, so was my Mom. Let’s face it, in many ways they still are. But, it wasn’t just fear of punishment that kept me on the straight and narrow, I was learning to respect their authority, and that began developing in my earliest years.
The truth of the matter is the breakdown of family values in this country is one of the greatest battles we face as a nation. The sad fact is that five out of every six births are to unwed mothers. We have become a nation of wounded souls giving birth to wounded souls. Is it any wonder that so many kids today can barely read, pass a test, or say no to drugs and alcohol? Did you know that the majority of violent criminals are teenagers?
It has been rightly observed throughout history that the family is the backbone of society. It always has been the first building block to a successful society. Our very existence as a safe and loving community is dependent upon the success of the family.
Nobody cares more for our personal well being, outside of our parents, than God. Healthy families produce healthy people, and a healthy nation. I also want to point out that scriptures say nothing about an “age of maturity,” a time when you suddenly are free from respecting and honoring your parents. Growing from childhood to adulthood is not a time of moving spiritually away from your family. Your family is eternal, and honoring them has eternal as well as earthly consequences.
A healthy family is the place we learn about life. We learn things about living together as a family and as a society. Family life is the path to a great deal of life’s lessons. You want to know about conflict resolution, financial management, love, acceptance, failure, success, communication – you name it – your family should be the place to go.
Sadly, the world today looks at families in a different light. For many, the family just isn’t important and too often God isn’t important either. Yet we are all born with this primal need to know who we are. Our very nature craves being loved by the two people called mom and dad. If we lose that connection, our identities blur and it weakens not only ourselves but our nation – and yes, our connection to God.
Yes, there are some very imperfect parents – abusive, absent, and substance addicted, but the commandment has no “clauses” that excuse our responsibility to honor them. Even though their actions may have brought us pain, they have after all, brought us into this world.
"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." (Colossians 3:20).
Do you want to know how to please God? Read his commandments to us. Obey them – not just a few – but all of them. Obeying and honoring your parents pleases the Lord. As I mentioned, even if they aren’t particularly lovable, the commandment has no exception clauses, and no expiration date as to our responsibility to it.
Honoring your father and mother is never more apparent than when you have children of your own. Suddenly you understand what you owe your parents. And then you take all the good they have given to you and pass it on.
Be Honorable,
Bishop Ian
Yes, there are some very imperfect parents – abusive, absent, and substance addicted, but the commandment has no “clauses” that excuse our responsibility to honor them. Even though their actions may have brought us pain, they have after all, brought us into this world.
"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." (Colossians 3:20).
Do you want to know how to please God? Read his commandments to us. Obey them – not just a few – but all of them. Obeying and honoring your parents pleases the Lord. As I mentioned, even if they aren’t particularly lovable, the commandment has no exception clauses, and no expiration date as to our responsibility to it.
Honoring your father and mother is never more apparent than when you have children of your own. Suddenly you understand what you owe your parents. And then you take all the good they have given to you and pass it on.
Be Honorable,
Bishop Ian
