29 AUGUST
Children of unbelieving parents
‘Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest live long on the earth.’ Ephesians 6:1–3
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: 2 Kings 5:1–14
Let me add a word on the case of children who fear the Lord and have the trial of parents who treat them harshly upon that account. You are to obey your parents in the Lord. When their will is inconsistent with the will of God, you stand excused. If they will reproach you for your profession you must pray for grace not to be frightened out of it. If they would persuade or force you with the practices of the world you must not comply. But even in these things you must remember that they are your parents, and endeavour to behave with all meekness and patience. Your disobedience, if they will call it such, must be confined to such points in which you are sure you have the express warrant of Scripture on your side. In all other respects you are still bound, and if you would not prejudice them against the truth, endeavour to let them see that the knowledge of the gospel has strengthened the ties of duty and made you more observant, obliging and respectful than you were before. We are all concerned in this subject. We all stand or have stood in this relation. May the Lord lead you to reflect how you have behaved in it.
FOR MEDITATION:
If to JESUS for relief
While I know his providence
My soul has fled by prayer;
Disposes each event;
Why should I give way to grief,
Shall I judge by feeble sense,
Or heart-consuming care?
And yield to discontent?
Are not all things in his hand?
If he worms and sparrows feed,
Has he not his promise past?
Clothe the grass in rich array;
Will he then regardless stand
Can he see a child in need,
And let me sink at last?
And turn his eye away?
SERMON SERIES: RELATIVE DUTIES, NO. 3 [4/5], EPHESIANS 6:1–3
Milo 