Title: Obey and Respect! (Col 3:18-21)
Contents
I think that the hearts of all parents in this world are the same. It means that parents wanting their children to do well will be the same no matter the age of the East or the West. It's not just the thoughts of the heart, isn't it that most parents are willing to sacrifice everything for their children? So we sing like this. “Forgetting all my sufferings, working hard day and night to nurture me, changing the dry places I lost, and suffering until my hands and feet are worn out. What is high under the sky? A mother's sacrifice is endless."
What did John the Baptist, whom Jesus praised as the greatest of all women born of this world, say about Jesus? “He must increase, and I must decrease” (John 3:20). Isn't it surprising that he is willing to sacrifice himself for the Lord? Parents probably feel the same way about their children. “Children must increase, and I may decrease.” In order to make their children prosper, the parents of the world do not hesitate to take any damage. It means that parents consider it a joy to lose materially, physically, and mentally for the sake of their children. What should we Christians do today for parents who are willing to take any damage for their children?
Today, we live in an environment that is rapidly changing from an agricultural society to an industrial society, and from an industrial society to an information society. A lot of things are really changing out of breath. Perhaps the most representative of these is changes in family relationships. According to a recent survey conducted by a certain media organization, 25.6% of the opinions of parents that they should follow them even if they are not true, 58.7% of opinions that they should be carefully considered, and 15.7% of the opinions that they do not know what they say. Also, if two people love each other, even if their parents objected, 62.8% said they would marry, 15.9% said they would not marry, and 21.3% said they did not know. It can be a huge change.
The parent-child relationship has also changed a lot. The beautiful custom of taking care of old and sick parents as a matter of course is disappearing from all around us. As time goes by, a strange tension is forming between parents and children that cannot be pinpointed. If you think you will have some fortune to inherit, don't you often see a bloody figure, with no brothers and sisters, and even parents who don't care? Surprisingly, however, the Bible knows that this time will come and is already giving warnings. Isn't that word recorded in 2 Timothy 3:1, 2? “Know this that people will love themselves, love money, boast, be proud, slander, disobey their parents, be unthankful, be unholy...”
At the end of the day, people love themselves and they love money. However, they disobey their parents to whom they should be obeyed, and they are not at all grateful to their parents, whom they should be thankful for. As we often encounter this kind of situation around us today, we can feel with our skin that the end is near. So, what should we Christians do in these last days?
Christians are people who have been transformed in Jesus Christ. Then, shouldn't we get rid of the decaying image of the old man and live a new life? We must never imitate this generation. And life itself must be offered to God as a living, holy sacrifice. In other words, we Christians should set a new example of life in all fields of politics, economy, society and culture. You have to live a new life, especially at home. The Christian home is no longer about being physically related. As a newly transformed spiritual being, we must always become a community based on our relationship with God.
So, how and to what extent should children obey their parents? The Apostle Paul tells us to honor our parents in Ephesians 6:2. What do you respect? Respect is not just obedience, but obedience with respect. In other words, it is not forced submission. Nor is it obligatory submission. We must also remember and do not forget that we love our parents from the heart, and that following and following that will is the true meaning of respect for our parents.
That's right! We Christians said it was right to honor our parents. Parents are worthy of respect. Considering the fact that it is the parents who have endured all the losses and disadvantages in order to make their children prosper, how can they not respect their parents? So the wise man instructs. Proverbs 23:22 and 25. “Listen to your father who gave birth to you, and do not despise your old mother.” “Rejoice your parents, and make your mother happy.” You should not forget and remember that obedience to your parents and making their hearts happy is the true meaning of respect for your parents.
There is an old saying in our country that says, “I drive cows to the roof.” An old, frantic father kept trying to drive his cows up and down the roof. He said that he had to plow the field... But it didn't work, so he told his son to try it this time. Unable to disobey, the child cried and drove the cow up the roof. It is said that when he saw the scene, his father liked it and made a big joke. In a way, it sounds like an absurd story, but in fact, it can't help but be a beautiful figure. How beautiful it is to see a child who is absolutely obedient to his father's words in order to please his old father.
You should also know that true respect for your parents requires you to provide them with food in the kitchen. This means that realistic and specific filial piety is required. In Genesis 47:12, the fact that Joseph took care of his father Jacob and all his household is introduced. “And he fed his father, his brothers, and all his father’s house with food, and provided for them.” Joseph, who became the prime minister of Egypt, provided enough food for all his family members, including his old father Jacob. Does it seem obvious? If you change your mind, you probably won't. It's okay to pretend you don't know when you think about the things you've been angry, unfair, and sad about during your life. But he treated his father and his brothers with the utmost hospitality.
Dear saints, No matter how the world changes, we Christians should honor our parents. To do that, you must first respect your parents. We must listen to our parents with respect and obey them. At the same time, you should make your parents happy and happy. When you honor your parents like that, you will be blessed. Didn't the Lord Himself make a promise? What did you promise? “In this way, it may be well with you and you may live a long life on the earth!” (Ephesians 6:3) Didn’t he promise that everything would be prosperous? He also promised a long life on earth. Who is that Lord? That's right! He is the one who always keeps his promises. How grateful are you? what a great grace From the child's point of view, even though it is extremely proper to honor parents, the Lord promises to bless them. I sincerely hope that all of you who believe in the promise, obey your parents, and live a life of honoring your parents, will be able to receive and enjoy the grace and peace of the Lord to your heart's content from now on!
[Mother's Day] Obedience and respect! (See Colossians 3:18-21; Proverbs 23:22-25)