Honor and Obey

Ephesians 6-Part 1
Honor 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.  Ephesians 6:2-3


LET IT GLOW

I think I can be safe in saying that we all like to be honored. Whether it is at home, at work, at church, or in our community. I'm not talking about having a television show  featuring us and our accomplishments. I am referring to being shown respect. I don't like to be" talked down to" as if I am ignorant or given an illustration like a child understands. Do you?  So I looked up the word "honor."

Holman Dictionary stated honor means esteem, respect, (high) regard, or (good) reputation. To honor is to recognize the value of someone or thing and to act accordingly. The opposite is "shame."

Certainly these verses can be tied to verse 1 where Paul tells children to obey their parents in the Lord because it is the right thing to do. But it goes farther than childhood. We continue to honor our parents, without a time frame.

John Gill said, "Honor parents in thought, word, and gesture; highly thought of and esteemed; spoken to and of very honorable in a respectful manner; to be relieved, assisted, maintained in a comfortable way when aged. Length of days is in itself a blessing, not that we can live beyond God's decree. Paul alters the language of this law in Exodus 20:12 since it only concerned the Jews. Now it suits this law and a promise of it is (extended)  to others."

I don't think this matter of honoring someone is limited to just our parents, but can be carried out to other people; not only our boss, but to our spouse, children, friends, family, and everyone. I don't think it is a thing we can "pick and choose" to whom we show honor or respect. I think it's to be shown to everyone no matter what the position held by them. Will I honor everyone that I come in contact with today?


LET IT GROW

In this last chapter, Paul gives counsel to children, parents, slaves (workers), and maters (employers).
As Paul spoke to the church at Ephesus, God is speaking to us through His Word. What does it say to me?

1. To children: Obey and honor your parents. The Greek word translated obey means to listen, attend,
                       under. It also means to submit. A child's obedience is recognized as the right thing to do.
2. To parents: Don't provoke,( irritate, stir up) your children to wrath (anger), but discipline and instruct them
                      in the ways of the Lord. In other words, teach your child the principles God has us live by,
                      memorizing the Word of God, setting a good example, praying with and for them, attending
                      public worship with them.
3. To slaves (employees): Obey your master (employer). Respect them, honor them, submit to their
                   directions and corrections. How are we to do this? Do it as though we are serving Christ. Do
                    it with a cheerful spirit, delighting in the work, as though it is a pleasure to serve. Then we bring
                    honor and glory to our Savior. We will be blessed as a result, according to verse 8.
4. To masters (employers): Ditto. Treat your employees in the same way, with honor, respect, and goodness.
                     Treat believers as brothers and sisters in Christ.

There we have it, folks. Surely we all fit in there somewhere.
Colossians 3:17 tells us "whatsoever we do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus."
Colossians 3:23 says "whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men."


LET IT GO

Honor and respect others, whether they be my children, parents, employee, or employer.

Serve others as though I am serving Christ.

Do my best to honor Him with my work.