Ephesians 6:1-3

Be Prepared for 2017:

Ephesians 6:1-3

The writer of Ephesians penned some pretty radical ideas for the day. In the chapter before this one, he discussed the value of women -- that men should love them like Christ loved the Church. Interestingly, the people considered women, children, and slaves to be, well, property. Loving their wives with unconditional love was a crazy new idea for the husbands. 

So when the subject turned to the children, it was, again, pretty radical. 

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 go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”  ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:1-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I can only imagine that if fathers looked at their children as property, they probably weren't all that touchy, feely, sweet and supportive of them. So what incentive would a son or daughter have to respect or revere such a man?

And how does this apply to being prepared for 2017?

Before we can move forward and fight spiritual enemies with God's strength, we must consider a few truths. 

• We all have one thing in common. We are children. We all have parents. We may or may not know or even like our parents. But without them we wouldn't be. God says we are to respect them. Only you can determine how you are to do that. Rest assured, though, that God will honor your efforts. Be assured that by following His command, you will be more able to stand firm in other areas of your life. 
• By practicing obedience to your earthly parents, you should begin to understand the importance of obeying your Heavenly Father. 
• God promises that He will cause things to go well with you because of your obedience. 

Now if you have children, don't go running off to them and push this down their throats. The Holy Spirit is perfectly capable of convicting them of their sin. 

You take care of your own self. 

Lord, sometimes it's easier to look at someone else (like our children) and identify their shortcomings. Instead, show us the errors of our ways. Help us to make peace with our parents in order please you. And thank you in advance for your blessings on our lives.