Ephesians 6:1-3 - The Home, Obedience That Brings Blessings

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat.Today we continue in Ephesians 6:1-3, as the Apostle Paul continues histeaching on harmony in the Christian home. In these verses, Paul turnshis attention to the children. Wherever we look in society today, we seedivision and rebellion. Husbands and wives separate. Children resist authority.Employers and employees struggle against one another. We’ve tried education,legislation, and social reform, yet the problem remains. Paul’s solution is fardeeper: regeneration—a new heart through Christ and a new submission toHis lordship. God’s great purpose, as Paulsaid earlier in Ephesians, is to gather all things together in Christ. Thatharmony begins in the home, and it begins when believers submit themselves tothe Lord and to one another. Paul now addresses children directly, which tellsus something important. Children were present when this letter was read in thechurch. Christian families worshiped together, and parents taught God’s Word athome. Paul gives children four reasons why they should obey theirparents. First, they are Christians.Paul writes, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord.” Becoming aChristian does not remove our everyday responsibilities—it deepens them. Faithin Christ should make a child more loving, respectful, and obedient in thehome, not less. This fits the theme of the entire section: “Submittingyourselves one to another in the fear of God.” The wife submits to herhusband as unto Christ. The husband loves his wife as Christ loved the church.And children obey their parents in the Lord. When each family memberlives under Christ’s lordship, harmony becomes possible. Second, obedience is right.Paul simply says, “for this is right.” God has built order intocreation. Parents brought children into the world. Parents have greaterexperience, wisdom, and responsibility. Even in nature, young animals aretaught to follow and obey. Modern culture often reverses this order. Theunspoken rule today seems to be, “Parents, obey your children so everyone stayshappy.” But that is not God’s design. When God’s order is ignored, confusionand conflict follow. Third, obedience iscommanded. Paul quotes the fifth commandment: “Honor your father andmother.” This commandment did not disappear in the New Testament. WhileChristians are no longer under the Law as a system of salvation, therighteousness of God’s Law still reveals His holy standards. To honor parentsmeans far more than simple obedience. It means respect, gratitude, care, and adesire to bring honor to them by how we live. Even when parents areimperfect—or even unbelieving—children are still called to honor them.Honoring parents also protectsour Christian testimony. How we treat our parents speaks loudly to the watchingworld. Respect builds bridges; disrespect destroys them. Fourth, obedience bringsblessing. Paul reminds us that this is the first commandment with apromise: “that it may be well with you and that you may live long on theearth.” This is not a guarantee that every obedient child will live a longlife, but it is a principle. Obedience keeps children from much danger,heartache, and destructive sin. But life is measured not only by length—it ismeasured by quality. God enriches the life of the obedient child. Sinalways robs us; obedience always blesses us. Learning obedience earlyprepares a child for a lifetime of submission to God. Disobedience to parentsis ultimately rebellion against God. Scripture tells us that one of the marksof a society that rejects God is disobedient children. The breakdown of thehome always follows the rejection of God’s Word. By nature, children areselfish—just like adults. But through the power of the Holy Spirit, childrencan learn obedience, honor their parents, and glorify God. May God help our homes reflectHis design, His order, and His peace—so that obedience becomes a pathway toblessing, not a burden.