READ:
Ephesians
6:1-11
Bring
[your children] up in
the
training and admonition
of
the Lord. –Ephesians 6:4
While waiting for an eye examination, I
was struck by a statement I saw in the optometrist’s office: “Eighty
percent of everything children learn in their first 12 years is through their
eyes.” I began thinking of all that
children visually process through reading, television, film, events,
surroundings, and observing the behavior of others, especially their
families. On this Father’s Day, we often
think about the powerful influence of a dad.
Paul urged fathers not to frustrate
their children to the point of anger, but to “bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord: (Ephesians 6:4). Think of the powerful example of a
dad whose behavior and consistency inspire admiration from his children. He’s not perfect, but he’s moving in the right
direction. A great power for good is at
work when our actions reflect the character of God, rather than distort it.
That’s challenging for any parent, so it’s
no coincidence that Paul urges us to “be
strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (v.10). Only through His
strength can we reflect the love and patience of our heavenly Father.
We teach our children far more from how
we live than by what we say. –David McCasland
Heavenly
Father, I need to know Your love
in
order to love others. I want to
experience
and
share Your patience and kindness with
those
I care about. Fill me and use me.
************************************
We
honor fathers who not only gave us life,
But
who also show us how to live.
INSIGHT
In
today’s reading, Paul writes of two of the most basic human relationships: parent-child (6:1-4) and employer-employee
(6:5-9). The parent-child relations hip
is particularly sacred. The fifth
commandment to honor parents is the only one of the Ten Commandments with a
special blessing attached for those who observe it (Exodus 20:12, Ephesians
6:2-3). On the other hand, ancient
Israelites who physically or verbally abused their parents were put to death
(Exodus 21:15, 17; Leviticus 20:9).
Have a blessed day and week ahead.
God Our Creator’s Love Always
Unity & Peace
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