Why Should I Honor my Parents When They are not Honorable?
CONVERSATIONS:
When God gave the 10 Commandments to Moses, the first 4 commandments talk about the ways we Honor God. (our highest vertical relationship).
The next Commandments instruct us how we can Honor One Another (horizontal relationships).
In the 5th commandment, the primary relationship God addresses is our relationship to our parents:
"Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12
1. Honoring Your Parents Comes with a Promise for You:
Parents are in a sense, Gods co-creators on the earth. We are born because of our parents. However, not everyone experienced being parented in a godly or loving manner.
If we as Christians, learn to love and honor our parents in a way that pleases the Lord, (despite their shortcomings), God promises to honor our obedience by rewarding us with a long, full life.
He even repeats His promise in Ephesians 6:
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.Ephesians 6:1-3
2. We Honor, Because We are Honorable People.
But to all who have received him--those who believe in his name--he has given the right to become God's children. John 1 :12
When we become Christians, God adopts us into His family. It doesnt matter what our background is, or how neglectful or unfair our circumstances have been. We now have the love and guidance of a Heavenly Father, who knows how to keep his promises.
God accepts us unconditionally and we are assured of the constant love of our Heavenly Father.
We become Gods children and we carry his name forever. Because we have an honorable God, we can also act honorably on this earth.
People can cheat, lie or steal, but as honorable children of God, we refuse to do that, but instead choose to do what pleases our Father in heaven.
3. Both Parents and Children are accountable to the Lord.
God is a God of Justice and a God of Love. He sees everything that happens. Whether we are parents, or children, we all are accountable to the Lord for our actions.
Ephesians 6:4 continues:
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for your Holy Word. Thank You for your promise that as I honor my parents, it will go well with me and I will live a full life.
Give me wisdom in my situation to know how to honor my parents without compromising my walk as a Christian,
Most of all, thank you for reminding me, that I am first and foremost, a child of God. Because I have the example, of an honorable Father in heaven, I can also behave in an honorable manner to others.
Thank you for your unconditional love for me and your promise that You will never leave me or forsake me. This I pray, in Jesus name. Amen.
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