Part 6: Home and Family
The Bible is God's teachings for today’s believers. It remains as true and able as ever for teaching God's people. If we love God, we will want to follow His wishes and live in a way that pleases Him. In the Book of Ephesians Chapter 6, Verses 1 thru 3, God's Word instructs us saying:
Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother'--which is the first commandment with a promise--'that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy a long life on the earth.'
These verses place great responsibility on children. The really important words here are honor and obey. Children are to obey their parents in the Lord. These words "in the Lord" show that obedience to God comes before the rules of parents, government or friends. The wishes of God are to be honored before your own wishes. Your parent’s rules are, likewise, to be honored first. But if religious differences tend to separate you from your parents you must study the scriptures carefully. Remember, both you and they might be wrong. Perhaps your parents have good knowledge about what God expects. It may also be that your parents should study God's truth more thoroughly with you.
These rules will help you to have fun with your family and make things easier for everybody. Sometimes you will think that what your parents tell you is wrong. Maybe, you think, it just doesn't make any difference how it is done. Don't fool yourself, your parents were young once. They know about many dangerous or wasteful things that can disrupt your family or that are dangerous or inconvenient for you. That is why most rules are made. When your parents were children they sometimes broke the household rules. When things went wrong they learned why the rules had been made. Your parents have experience and judgment much like you will have when you are older. Some wise man once said: "When I was a kid I knew that mom and dad were as ignorant as people could be. Now that I'm married and have kids of my own, though, I'm surprised at how smart mom and dad have become in just these last few years!"
Of course, the one telling this story knew that his parents had known the right thing all along. But since maturing he had learned enough to see that his parent’s rules had been right. He now loves his family and rules it wisely having learned from experience.
A nation, a state, a city and a household must have rules if people are to be able to do their best. Most drivers of automobiles follow the traffic laws. Driving a car would be very difficult if more than just a very few broke the rules. So that your home life will not be difficult, you must learn to follow the rules at home. Should lawlessness become widespread in our country, the country would fall. Dictatorship would then take the place of freedom. You have a responsibility to freedom by obeying the laws of the land just as you have an obligation to obey your parents so peace and love will rule your life.
Let us repeat from the Bible, Ephesians Chapter 6, Verses 1 thru 3:
Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother'--which is the first commandment with a promise--'that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy a long life on the earth.'
We sincerely hope that this short lesson will aid you to help your family, friends and nation.