Monday, September 26, 2011

Honor thy Father and thy Mother


Exodus 20:12
"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. (NIV)

During a wonderful dinner conversation with a multigenerational gathering, suddenly a youngster speaks harshly to his mother. A grandparent jumps in to reprimand the youngster by asking what is the fourth commandment?. "Honor my mother and my father" was the reply. Well now, was that showing respect or honor? For an instant the little head points down in embarrassment but almost immediately a finger points to mother and the little mouth responds, "She sins, too!" Grandma says, "You are right we all sin, but at the present time the focus is on your behavior."

You might have had a similar experience in your life-a situation in which you find yourself either listening to or partaking in such a conversation.

Young or old we are subject to and held responsible for our actions--the things we say and the things we do. The above scenario might have seemed very light to you, however there are lessons for us to learn. Noticed how quickly the child responded by pointing the figure at another? That "child" could have been us!

Your reaction could have been one of these: Well, I had to respond that way because of what was said! I am not the only one who feels this way! I have been rejected so many times I would rather not use the gift and talents God gave me! Well, if my circumstances where different I would be a better person .If only... !

Do some of these sound familiar? Have you used one or two in the past? Then we sometimes joke that "The devil made me do it!" All of these to responses are just to protect our ego and our pride. We want to take the focus off of our sin and onto someone else or the circumstances.

If we claim we are mature-grown up, then we must stop passing the buck and take our medicine like a "man" or "woman". I can guarantee that when we do the Father embraces us with His heavenly love and encourages us to continue onward and upward for the prize is ours and it is within reach.

So the next time a brother or sister in Christ approaches us, be quick to repent and quick to respond in love thanking them for doing their part in keep you on the straight and narrow!