Children grow up with many privileges. With every privilege comes responsibilities. One problem we have not just in society today but also in many Christian homes is the fact that children want privilege with no responsibility. Children should realize the importance of fulfilling their responsibilities while they are enjoying their privileges. Let us discuss some of the responsible things that children should do in the home.
I. The Sacredness of Obedience: Obedience is sacred. The Bible says that to obey is better than to sacrifice, and we know that sacrifice is sacred. A child who does not obey is not spiritual. The first step of being a good Christian is to obey. Children must learn at an early age that obedience is sacred to the Lord. We are to obey our Heavenly Father, and likewise, we are to obey our earthly parents. We obey our parents because they are parents not because they are perfect or always right. Why should children obey?
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- Children should obey because it is right or righteous. Ephesians 6:1-3 says, Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
- Children should obey because it will bring honor to their own life. Proverbs 1:8-9 says, My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
- Children should obey because it pleases God. Colossians 3:20 says, Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
II. The Seriousness of Honor: Exodus 20:12 says, Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. A good visual for this would be two boxes of cereal or some other type of food. Pour half of one box out so that one is full and the other is half-filled. When the Bible talks about the promise we are given for honoring our parents, it is not speaking necessarily of a longer life. It is speaking of putting more life into the days that we have. In other words, God will fill our days with blessings. Empty the boxes out into separate containers, so they can see that the same size box did not contain the same amount of cereal.
When we honor our parents, there is more in our days than if we do not. In fact, not honoring our parents reduces the blessings of our days. Parents need to know the importance of teaching their children to honor, not for the parents’ own sake but for the sake of the child. Honoring a parent is as good for the child as it is for the parent.
III. The Sweetness of Discipline: No one enjoys discipline at the time that it is taking place; however, when we see the results of discipline, we realize that it is sweet and with it, life is better. Notice some of the sweetness of discipline.
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- Discipline is an expression of love. Proverbs 13:24 says, He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
- Discipline brings wisdom. Proverbs 29:15 says, The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
- Discipline strengthens our relationship with our fathers. Hebrews 12:7-9 says, If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
- Discipline delivers our soul from Hell. Proverbs 23:13-14 says, Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
IV. The Seriousness of Rebellion: Proverbs 20:20 says, Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. Proverbs 15:5 says, A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. The Bible says rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. There are many dangers in being a rebel. Rebellion never turns outright. Every tragedy of a wasted life begins with rebellion. The true meaning of rebellion is defying authority. Whenever we defy authority, we are defying God Who placed that person in the position of authority. (Deuteronomy 21:18-21; Proverbs 22:15)
Just as we expect parents to be responsible in the home, we likewise should expect children to be responsible in the home. To be responsible, they must realize these principles and avail themselves of the promises of God’s blessings when they do and the consequences when they do not.
Pastor Neal, through his preaching and his counseling, displays the compassionate heart of a pastor, follows the true leading of the Holy Spirit, and expresses a fervent desire to see lost souls come to know Christ. It is his ultimate desire to see the greater Jacksonville area reached for the cause of Christ and for revival to come to Northeast Florida.
