OBEDIENCE
Ephesians 6:1-3 says:
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”–which is the first commandment with a promise– 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
DEVOTIONAL – Written by Kathie Weaver
You may think that this page is only about obeying your parents, and yes to a certain degree that is right. But we have a heavenly father our spiritual parent who also needs to be obeyed. So it’s really more about obedience in general. Have you ever thought about what happens when you don’t obey your parents? How about laws or rules at school – ever broke any? Does it go well for you? If I had to answer that question I’d say; Not usually!
What usually happens is that people get angry and there is some kind of punishment for not obeying them. You may actually get the reverse of what you were hoping for in the first place. Obeying does not mean that you have to do things that are bad for you. In fact you should never be forced to do anything that could harm you. Sometimes people in authority do take advantage of their position and ask us to do things that they should not ask us to do. Sometimes we get it wrong but God never does.
His word is worthy of our attention because everything that He asks us to do is beneficial to us. It’s not about power or denying you fun – it’s about God love for us. God’s love is unconditionally – that means that He has no strings attached to his love. It’s pure and simple. Obedience is hard because sometimes we think we know more than the one in authority. But the interesting thing about rules is that they are usually written or in place based on experience. A sign on the pond that says “Stay off ice” is not meant to ruin your fun – likely someone knows that if you step on the ice it could be dangerous and you could fall through.
Your parents put rules in place because they have experience. God provides us the bible and it is full of advice based on experience. Don’t under estimate the benefits that can be gained when you practice obedience!
