Presents
Pamphlet #5174 KCEphesians14

It is wrong for parents to "obey" their children.

Chapter six, the final chapter of this exciting Book of Ephesians, has become one of the most often quoted chapters of the New Testament among Christian teachers and ministers.

And for good reason, too, because contained therein is one of Paul's most outstanding analogies for which, as stated in the last study, he is a master.

Following some more excellent "in home" and then "on the job" training from that great apostle, Paul, we will learn how a Christian soldier is to dress, suit-up, and prepare for battle.

In chapter five we learned how to conduct ourselves individually and refrain from ungodly conduct, such as drunkenness, etc., and to refrain from ungodly persons as partners.

Paul then instructed us about marital relations, while simultaneously (on a higher level) teaching us about Christ and the church.

Also, you can read the very same instructions set forth here in Paul's letter to the Colossians (Col. 3), almost word for word.

You should read it.

This verse really needs no explanation other than to realize that the qualifier in this verse is "in the Lord".

Too often I see parents "obeying" their children, doing everything they demand, and giving in to their tantrums and threats.

It is wrong for parents to "obey" their children.

It is right for children to obey their parents.

"You fathers, again, must not goad your children to resentment, but give them the instruction, and the correction, which belong to a Christian upbringing." N.E.B.

"... Don't keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful." Living Bible

I know homes where everything is based on a "negative" condition, presented and repeated as a "threat", not just a consequence.

"If you don't clean your room, your privileges are suspended", etc., etc.

And then, rather than saying it once, and enforcing the consequence, it is repeated to the child over and over and over, to where the child becomes angry.

There is a saying with Biblical support, "Say what you mean and mean what you say".

I guess children with that upbringing will be well conditioned for the preacher that says that "if you don't do this" and "you don't do that" you are going to hell.

Now I'm not talking against discipline and household rules and the fact that at times you must remain firm.

But there is a positive side to discipline as well.

"Honey, if you get your room cleaned on time, I'll let you go with your friends to the movies."

It becomes a benefit, a reward, instead of a threat.

But again, once said is enough.

Discipline is a major element of love, which seems to be a "mystery" to some parents. A child will love you for godly discipline (beginning about 10 minutes after he or she says "I hate you").

The wife of the author of this pamphlet has worked in the child psychiatry department of a major hospital for the past thirteen years.

She works with children who are admitted angry, frustrated and "messed up", and she will tell you that one common element is present in almost ALL cases.

There is no "discipline" and no "structure" in their lives.

Most have been left to do as they please.

Remember the inheritance?

Remember what our Father has done, and will do, for His children.

Remember the sacrifice of His son?

He loves us.

How could we not love Him, once we understand?

Any good salesman will tell you that people buy benefits, not threats.

Benefits are what you "sell", i.e. tell convincingly, the non-believer.

Do you understand?

It all comes back to the basic truth, and the foundation of salvation itself: You can't force someone, even your own child, to love you.

You can, with enough might, force them to conform, but love must from come from within.

And it must be earned.

Our Father has "earned" our love for all He has done.

Tell someone THAT, leaving hell "the hell alone", for now.

Lastly, we read before how children are great imitators of their parents.

If you are quick to criticize and nag, they will grow to do likewise.

You've heard the saying "When the cat's away, the mice will play."

If you are an employee that takes advantage of your employer like that, then you are not doing it Christ's way.

That about says it!

You don't get promoted just because you claim to be a Christian, or some "goofball" tells you that pledging $30 a month to his or her ministry is all you need do.

You must be a doer and apply yourself and produce good fruit for your boss and the company.

Then, the Lord is able to bless you!

"Be sure that everyone, slave or free, will be paid back by the Lord and Master for the good he has done." Moffat

And know this, our Father has Big, Big "Checkbook".

He is completely fair at all times, and so should we as employers be also.

J.C. Penny, founder of the department store chain bearing his name, built his company on a different philosophy than did his competitors.

In his autobiography he describes his attitude toward his employees and associates as... "You can tell how big a man is by the way he treats little people."

Employers should always remember and "take to heart" that attitude, for there is another Biblical principle at work here.

So when you see people treated unfairly by an employer you can rest assured that he or she "has it coming to him or her".

I like to attach this principle of "what goes around comes around", to extend what we call the "Golden Rule", which, by the way, is not a verse in the Bible even though the principle is scriptural.

And that is: "The guys with the Gold make the Rules".

You don't need someone to tell you who benefits most from their "rules".

Thank God our Master, for whom we are bondsmen, is completely fair and just.

 Let us imitate Him in all our affairs.

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.

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