Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
As a parent, one of my greatest desires and delights is the obedience of my children. The obedience of my children is a desire because I want them to take my words seriously. It is a desire because I want them to respect my authority. It is a desire because it shows that they love me when they do what I ask them. It is a desire because I know that their obedience results in blessings and protection. Having my children obey me is also a delight. It is a delight because I love to see my children understand what I am asking them to do. It is a delight because my greatest hope is that my children thrive in life — obedience leads to this sort of thriving in life (Eph 6:1-4). It is a delight because their willful obedience is one of the most powerful indicators of the nature of our relationship. In the same way, God desires and delights in our obedience. We show our love for Him. He showers His blessings on us. We take His Word and authority seriously. He protects us from our enemies. Jesus said very clearly, “If you love me, you will obey me” (John 14:15-31). To be pleasing to the Lord is our highest aim. What pleases him is obedience in everything. My children are expected to obey because they are my children. Their obedience in no way affects their standing with me as their father. The same is true for our Heavenly Father. Our obedience does not determine our “sonship”. We are sons by the Spirit of adoption that He has given us. Our obedience is a reflection of the status that we have as His children. As the old hymn says, “Trust and Obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus.”
-Will Witherington (Director, CO Lexington)
Pray for CO Dallas/Ft. Worth:
- God to take our current 2 ministries and turn them into multiplying movements
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