Listen to the audio devotional above, and/or read the written devotional below.
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
CHILDREN
Today’s verse hones in on a sanctifying truth for those children of God who are already saved. While certainly, we who are parents raise our children, and have raised our children, whether saved or unsaved, by this sanctifying truth, it really speaks unto you and me, as John states in his first epistle,
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared… 1 John 3:2a
Honor and obedience are so intrinsically joined that they cannot be divorced from one another. The Pharisees and chief priests were externally obedient to God’s commands; yet they did not honor God the Father because they rejected His one and only Son. Works, good deeds, and obedient behavior means little if it comes not from an honorable heart, intent upon God’s glory in doing so. This is what the Lord Jesus did in perfect obedience unto His heavenly Father as the anointed Son. He said,
“And He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” John 8:29
Since we’ve been saved, our obedience to the heavenly Father as His children must be accomplished because it springs from faith in Him who has saved us. When Christ’s honor is our goal, it will be well with us (that it may go well with you), because obedience, then, will be our joy. When Christ’s honor is our ground and source, eternal life will not only dwell richly in our hearts, it will wear on our sleeves conspicuously to others (that you may live long in the land). Hallelujah! What a Savior!
As God’s child, these two rules are blest,
Yet, these two truths are one:
Honorable obedience,
As seen in God’s own Son.
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
10/6 Reading Portions: 1 Kings 9; Ephesians 6; Ezekiel 39; Psalm 90
