Ephesians 6:1-3

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord [as His representatives], for this is just and right." Ephesians 6:1

This verse is clearly written to Christian young people. We know that God's standard for ALL children, Christian or NOT, is to obey their parents... set in place by the ten commandments. It applies in a single parenting, or step parenting, adopted parenting, and split parenting (between divorced parents) relationships. These "children" Paul refers to know something already about the Lord... because he says, they are "in the Lord". The Amplified adds that Paul means "as His (Christ's) Representatives". You can't represent something you do not know anything about... so, obviously, then the child here, must have come to know about Jesus from someone either, over them, or at least close to them. Well, the truth is that, "even though we've changed chapters... we're still in context with the verses from Chapter 5, where husband and wife serve God in everything they do. And so, having a child would only extend their relationship with Christ onto their children, So, these children Paul is talking about are the fruit... not only of their intimacy sexually... but also SPIRITUALLY.

Paul continues, "for this is just and right". Not being raised a Christian... I struggled with what was "just and right". I was under the assumption that because "things" were not "just and right" around me, that I had an excuse not to do or be either of these. Paul is not talking about, what is fair... He's not suggesting that, "since these people you live with are responsible for you, that it's only fair that you would obey them. No, let's look at the next verse to help see the issue here.

2. "Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother--this is the first commandment with a promise."

As pointed out above, there is clearly a link to the standard set forth ever since the ten commandments within this issue. Here, Paul adds to "obey your parents", but also to "honor" them as is what's "just and right". Now to understand what is "just and right", we must look back to God's "standards" (the ten commandments). Until Jesus Christ came and taught us differently, God's people have ALWAYS been confused about "God's rules". They have always been seen as "DO THESE THINGS, BECAUSE I SAID SO! His "standards for life" were never seen as love, Until Christ came and rebuked the religious teachers of that day, people saw the law in one hand and a switch in the other hand of an angry God. Christians know that the purpose of God's standard was to show us a way of life that really is... "just and right". Not to lie to one another is "just and right" because it doesn't hurt or deceive one another. Not believing in other gods is "just and right" because "THERE ARE NO OTHER gods... not killing each other is... well, you see the idea behind every command. GOD LOVES US! So, back to "obeying and honoring our parents, must also have something to do with God's love. But, Paul continues this verse with, "this is the first commandment with a promise. A promise behind a command sounds very much like baiting... I mean, we do this with our children often. But believing that God is baiting us to obey, is, again, missing this whole idea of the standards. Let's finish solving this puzzle by adding this next verse to the idea.

3. "That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth."

Why should a child obey his or her parents? Because it is just and right... yes, obeying our parents whether we believe they deserve it or not...or whether we understand what they are saying or not, is because "all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth". God is not simply rewarding us for obeying our parents... the reward is what His standards offer in the first place. It's the best WAY to live for all. He created all things... He has to know what is "just and right". That is all Paul is trying to say here. Children... YOU WILL DO WELL TO OBEY YOUR PARENTS!

Let's pick up with Ephesians verse 6:4 next time.

I love you.