Children, You Have a Promise!

Can you think of a time when a promise was made to you, but it was conditional? What I mean by conditional is that the promise the other person made was dependent on you doing something first.

People make promises all the time. Sometimes it is called a deal. For example, after verbally explaining what each will do for the other, two people shake hands saying, “We have a deal.” We might also call it an agreement, or say, “You have my word.” In formal business transactions, contracts are drawn up and signed.

There are many promises in the Bible and it is encouraging to know that God has never broken a promise. It is also encouraging to know that there is one promise that is specifically directed to children. Are you familiar with it?

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.

—Ephesians 6:1-3

Paul was actually quoting from the Ten Commandments. For that reason some people think that it does not apply to followers of Jesus today. However, the specific audience of Paul’s letter was/is Christians. God reissued to Christians an earlier promise made to Israelite children. The promise is simple: If you will honor your parents, you will have a good and long life.

Now, I cannot imagine that God meant for Israelite children to follow only that instruction. In other words, it makes no sense for an Israelite to turn to idols yet demand that God keep His promise because he had honored his parents. A person should not think that God can be manipulated.

My sisters and I are still the children of our parents even though our parents are deceased. We should not think that there is an expiration date on God’s instruction. So, the instruction to honor your parents doesn’t end when you grow up or even when your parents die.

Some parents are difficult to honor. However, that is no excuse to dishonor them.

God’s instruction is not limited to Mother’s Day and Father’s day, birthdays, anniversaries and holidays. Honoring parents is for every day.

Honor parents by obeying without complaining, without arguing and without becoming angry.

Never complain about your parents or talk about them negatively to your friends.

Honor parents by offering to help instead of waiting until they ask (force) you to help.

Show appreciation for the free food, free room, free transportation, free clothing and laundry service, etc. (Start by saying, “Thank you.”)

When you get your first job as a teen, in all likelihood it will cost your parents something, usually for transporting. Offer to share the cost.

Use your money, not your parent’s money, to buy gifts for your parents. Use your own money, not your parent’s money, for personal goodies (snacks, entertainment, etc.).

After moving away from home, continue to honor your parents by visiting them, communicating with them, sharing your life with them, and by speaking kindly about them to others.

Showing honor is not limited to my short list of suggestions. So remember, this is God’s command, and it comes with a promise for a good and long life. Honor your father and mother.

Mark Stinnett

May 29, 2022