Post by Cindy on Nov 27, 2015 12:28:45 GMT -5
What is the one thing that shows we are really born again? God tells us it's the love that He poured out in our hearts at our salvation. Jesus said: “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”” (John 13:35) This goes to the heart of what's called the greatest commandments. “Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”” (Matthew 22:37–40) We were taught by Jesus that our neighbor is everyone, believer and unbeliever alike. He also repeatedly told and showed us that we were to first love Him and that family was to come second. He also told us that as believers we were part of a new family, the family of God. But being part of God's family is not to take away from our earthly family either. We are to love and honor both. Loving and honoring our family members is so important that we're told: “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8) Jesus and of course the whole Word of God constantly upholds the 5th commandment as being essential: ““Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”” (Ephesians 6:2–3) Notice that there are no "if's" attached to this command. We are to honor our parents regardless of how we think they treated us. It doesn't matter if we feel like it or even if we like it, we're still to do so. We do so because we love the Lord and this is His command to us. We have to realize that even if we hated our parents before we were saved, that once saved, the Lord poured His love into our hearts specifically so we could love Him and show others that same sacrificial love. Love that asks nothing in return.
Loving and honoring our parents is so important, listen to what John says about it: “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.” (1 John 2:9–11) He continues to speak of this and says more in 1 John 3:16–19, and “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7–8) He ends this portion with “If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” (1 John 4:20–21) We could also easily interchange the word parents with the word brother, especially if that parent is also born again.
Family is important to God. Not just the family of believers, but families here on earth: parents and their children, grandparents, etc. God ordained the family relationship and has set it up so to be a reflection of our relationship with Him. When we dishonor family members, no matter why, we bring dishonor on God. This is one of the reasons that the Lord hates divorce, for it upsets the way He ordained for us to live together honoring Him. As Christians, we are to show others what God looks like, and we do this through the way in which we treat our family members, our parents, spouse, children, grandparents etc. When we refuse to forgive, or mistreat a family member especially, we are bringing dishonor to God and storing up wrath against ourselves. (Romans 2:1–5) Paul reminds us of what God expects here: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:30–32)
Family relationships are very important. They're so important that Jesus puts reconciliation ahead of worship: “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:22–24) Notice here what Jesus did not say. He did not say "if you remember your brother has something against you that is not true." What matters here is that your brother thinks it's true and you need to be reconciled to your brother. He did not say "if you remember your brother has something against you but you did it for his own good." That doesn't wash either. What's important is that you be reconciled to your brother. (or sister or mother, or father, etc) It goes totally against everything the Lord says for us to hold grudges. We're to forgive each other, even our enemies, over and over and over again, no matter how many times they repeat the same sin. Jesus said to forgive 70 times 7, meaning indefinitely. The reason for this is again because how we treat others, especially family members reflects on God and shows others what our real relationship with Him is like. Remember: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14–15)
So how we treat every member of our family on earth is very important to God. He speaks of it all through the entire bible, over and over again. However, we often don't understand what the Lord means when He tells us to "honor our parents". To find out, I first checked out may cross references, some of which I've already shared, and looked it up in a lot of different books to see just what they'd say. Let me share some of my notes to help you with this:
Do you honor your parents as God asks us to, even if they are not Christians? The manner in which you treat your parents will set an example for the way your children will treat you. Do you criticize or ridicule them when you talk to others about them? Are you unwilling to forgive a wrong they may have committed against you? Do you graciously tolerate their criticism of you? If the family you grew up in lacked a healthy family atmosphere, there is still time to change that. Determine what you need to do to resolve any differences or meet any needs they have. Do they need financial assistance? Can they benefit from your spiritual guidance? Do they have any errands you can run or chores you can do for them? If they live far away from you, communicate with them by letter or phone on a regular basis. Make the last years they spend on this earth their most rewarding. MacArthur, J. F., Jr. The Fulfilled Family.
Do We Hear His Voice? Do we honor our parents? If they are still living, do them good. Give them your time, your money, your soul. This is acceptable to God (see 1 Timothy 5:4). Have we unforgiveness in our hearts? Then forgive or you will not be forgiven. Do we lack love? Then we must get on our knees and ask God to pour His love through us, or we have no biblical grounds to think we are saved. Are we easily irritated? Do we obey traffic laws; do we love and pray with our spouse; do we read God’s Word daily; do we pay all our taxes; is our thoughtlife pure—do we daily confess our sins and ask for cleansing when necessary ... are we zealous for God? These questions are merely soul-searchers to see if we have the things that accompany salvation. This is the profile of the normal Christian. If we lack these things, better we realize it now, rather than on Judgment Day.
Is God speaking to you about something right now? Don’t let my words distract you. Stop reading this book and resolve to do what you have failed to do, and undo what you should not have done. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If you leave that thing undone, you will give a foothold to the enemy. It will leave a gaping hole in your armor. Repent now, while there is time. Comfort, R. (1999). How to win souls & influence people
The Bible consistently teaches that we should honor & obey our parents (Lv 19:3; Dt 5:16; Pr 23:22; Mt 15:4; 19:19; Mk 7:10; 10:19; Lk 18:20; Eph 6:1–2; Col 3:20), following the example of Jesus Himself. Since the family is the key component to society, proper relationships must be maintained. Honor means to prize highly, to show respect, to glorify & exalt. The key to societal stability is reverence & respect for parents & their authority. One of the reasons for the Babylonian exile was a failure to honor parents (Eze 22:7, 15). The Apostle Paul individualized this national promise when he applied the truth to believers in his day (cf. Mt 15:4; Mk 7:10; Eph 6:1–3). The Apologetics Study Bible; The Open Bible; Spirit filled life; The MacArthur study Bible
Ephesians 6:2: Honor. While Ephesians 6:1 speaks of action, this term speaks of attitude, as Paul deals with the motive behind the action. When God gave His law in the Ten Commandments, the first law governing human relationships was this one (Ex 20:12; Dt 5:16). It is the only command of the 10 that relates to the family because that principle alone secures the family’s fulfillment. Cf. Ex 21:15, 17; Lv 20:9; Mt 15:3–6. Proverbs affirms this principle (see Proverbs 1:8; Proverbs 3:1; Proverbs 4:1–4; Proverbs 7:1–3; Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 17:21; Proverbs 19:13, Proverbs 19:26; Proverbs 28:24). The MacArthur study Bible
Here Paul cites the fifth commandment (Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16) and applies it to the NT believer. This does not mean that the Christian is “under the Law,” for Christ has set us free from both the curse and the bondage of the Law (Gal. 3:13; 5:1). But the righteousness of the Law is still a revelation of the holiness of God, and the Holy Spirit enables us to practice that righteousness in our daily lives (Rom. 8:1–4). All of the Ten Commandments are repeated in the NT epistles for the Christian to observe except, “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.” It is just as wrong for a NT Christian to dishonor his parents as it was for an OT Jew. To “honor” our parents means much more than simply to obey them. It means to show them respect and love, to care for them as long as they need us, and to seek to bring honor to them by the way we live. The Bible exposition commentary
Prov 1:8, 9 Note that “fear of the Lord” (Prov 1:7) is closely associated with reverencing and honoring parents (also see 1 Pet. 5:5). Obedience to parents has divine sanction and adds beauty to moral character, even as ornaments and jewels set off personal appearance. Believer’s Study Bible
The word translated “honor” is the Greek word timao, which simply means “to reverence, to worship, to hold in awe, to value at a high price.” It is used to speak of Jesus and God the Father in John 5:23. We are to have this attitude of honor, respect, and reverence toward our parents all our lives. Honoring our parents is not an attitude only. In Matt 15:1–6, Jesus interprets the commandment “Honor thy father and mother” as referring to financial support. He uses the word honor the way it’s used in 1 Tim 5:17. It can be translated “to give money to” or “to pay.” So, the OT law of honoring one’s parents meant that as long as a person lived, he was to respect and support his parents. During the first half of a person’s life, the parents give everything they have to supply the needs of their children. When they get to the point in life where they’re no longer able to meet their own needs, it becomes the responsibility of their children to take care of them. That is God’s way of making families stick together. “Why is the fifth commandment so important that God puts a promise with it?” Because it’s the key to all human relationships and the passing on of a righteous heritage. When we honor our parents, and when our relationships in the home are right, we’ll have a full and rich lifetime here, we’ll live with Him in the kingdom for a thousand years, and we’ll live with Him in the new heavens and the new earth for eternity.
Do you honor your parents as God asks us to, even if they are not Christians? The manner in which you treat your parents will set an example for the way your children will treat you. Do you criticize or ridicule them when you talk to others about them? Are you unwilling to forgive a wrong they may have committed against you? Do you graciously tolerate their criticism of you? If the family you grew up in lacked a healthy family atmosphere, there is still time to change that. Determine what you need to do to resolve any differences or meet any needs they have. Do they need financial assistance? Can they benefit from your spiritual guidance? Do they have any errands you can run or chores you can do for them? If they live far away from you, communicate with them by letter or phone on a regular basis. Make the last years they spend on this earth their most rewarding. The Fulfilled Family
The responsibility to honor one’s parents (Ex 20:12) does not cease with leaving and the union of husband with wife (Mt 19:5; Mk 10:7, 8; 1Co 6:16; Eph 5:31) The MacArthur study Bible
Honoring one’s parents is, first of all, an attitude, but true honor also involves a willingness to take care of them when they have needs. Our parents give us all we need in the first couple of decades of our lives. The time eventually comes for most families when the children need to help support the parents. This was the very issue Jesus took up with the Pharisees in Matt 15:4–8. What the Bible Says about Parenting
Deut 21:18–21 this Law is actually an expansion on the fifth commandment to honor one’s parents (5:16) because they were accountable to God for how they raised their families. Thus, by turning his back on his parents, a rebellious son was in effect turning his back on God. Word in life The child is not just to have the proper legal attitude toward the parents; he is to work for a personal relationship to them, in love. Anything less than the personal relationship between the parent and child is not only wrong; it is full of sorrow. True spirituality
But none may claim to love their neighbor while they shrug off their parents. Some of us have some repenting to do. Growing in Christ
Lev 19:32 Honor your parents. Shun the kind of disregard for elderly parents that the world promotes. Hayford’s Bible handbook Do We Hear His Voice? Do we honor our parents? If they are still living, do them good. Give them your time, your money, your soul. This is acceptable to God (see 1 Timothy 5:4). Have we unforgiveness in our hearts? Then forgive or you will not be forgiven. Do we lack love? Then we must get on our knees and ask God to pour His love through us, or we have no biblical grounds to think we are saved. How to win souls & influence people
Finally we need to remember What Timothy said about the last days. “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” (2 Timothy 3:2–5) I wish I could post all of what Wiersbe says about this, but I'll post some of it for you as it's a real eye opener!
There is an emphasis on love: “lovers of their own selves,” lovers of money (“covetous”), “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” The heart of every problem is a problem in the heart. God commands us to love Him supremely, and our neighbors as ourselves (Matt. 22:34–40); but if we love ourselves supremely, we will not love God or our neighbors. ...
“Disobedient to parents” suggests that this apostasy reaches into the family. Children are “unthankful” and do not appreciate what their parents have done for them. They are “unholy” in their attitude toward their parents. “Honor thy father and thy mother” is not widely taught or respected.
The phrase “without natural affection” is the translation of one word that describes “family love.” The family is under attack these days, and, as go its families, so goes the nation.
In place of the natural love that God has put into men and women and families, today we have a good deal of unnatural love which God has condemned (see Rom. 1:18–27; 1 Cor. 6:9–10). It is confusion, and God will judge it (Rom. 1:28–32).
Not only in homes, but out in society and the business world, the characteristics of these perilous times may be seen. “Trucebreakers” (2 Tim. 3:3) describes people who will not try to agree. They are unyielding and irreconcilable and must have their own way.
In order to defend their position, they become “slanderers” [“false accusers,” KJV] and try to tear down the reputations of others. Unfortunately, some of this activity goes on even among professed Christians. “Christian leaders” accuse one another in the pages of their publications.
“Incontinent” means “without self-control.” The motto of our society today is “Do your own thing and enjoy it!” Sad to say, some of the children born to these people do not always enjoy it because they are deformed or handicapped as the result of drugs, alcohol, or venereal diseases.
This lack of self-control reveals itself in a number of ways. “Fierce” means “untamed, brutal.” When these people cannot have their way, they become much like savage beasts. Instead of honoring what is good, they despise what is good and honor what is evil. In society today the standards of right and wrong have been twisted, if not destroyed. “Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil,” cried Isaiah the prophet (Isa. 5:20).
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (2 Ti 3:2–5).
Love is supreme. It's all important for those of us who've been saved. God loved us and poured His love into our hearts so we could return His love and share it with the rest of humanity just as He did. Our very first "mission" is to share that love with our family and that mission continues to the end of our life. It never ends. If we don't show love to our physical family, if we don't honor our parents, we are dishonoring God and worse then an unbeliever. In fact, it's so bad that we're told we should question our salvation. There is no way out of this. God tells us to love everyone even our enemies and not only with words, not only by praying for them, but in our actions as well as our attitudes. Sadly instead of seeing this, we're seeing exactly what Timothy said we would today. It breaks my heart. Especially when I see people who say they are born again, neglecting their parents, or being unforgiving or treating their siblings badly. There is so much more I could say on the subject, but I know this has already gotten "too long". So I'll end it here for now. May God bless you as you continue to walk on the narrow path of life in obedience to Him.
Loving and honoring our parents is so important, listen to what John says about it: “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.” (1 John 2:9–11) He continues to speak of this and says more in 1 John 3:16–19, and “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7–8) He ends this portion with “If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” (1 John 4:20–21) We could also easily interchange the word parents with the word brother, especially if that parent is also born again.
Family is important to God. Not just the family of believers, but families here on earth: parents and their children, grandparents, etc. God ordained the family relationship and has set it up so to be a reflection of our relationship with Him. When we dishonor family members, no matter why, we bring dishonor on God. This is one of the reasons that the Lord hates divorce, for it upsets the way He ordained for us to live together honoring Him. As Christians, we are to show others what God looks like, and we do this through the way in which we treat our family members, our parents, spouse, children, grandparents etc. When we refuse to forgive, or mistreat a family member especially, we are bringing dishonor to God and storing up wrath against ourselves. (Romans 2:1–5) Paul reminds us of what God expects here: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:30–32)
Family relationships are very important. They're so important that Jesus puts reconciliation ahead of worship: “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:22–24) Notice here what Jesus did not say. He did not say "if you remember your brother has something against you that is not true." What matters here is that your brother thinks it's true and you need to be reconciled to your brother. He did not say "if you remember your brother has something against you but you did it for his own good." That doesn't wash either. What's important is that you be reconciled to your brother. (or sister or mother, or father, etc) It goes totally against everything the Lord says for us to hold grudges. We're to forgive each other, even our enemies, over and over and over again, no matter how many times they repeat the same sin. Jesus said to forgive 70 times 7, meaning indefinitely. The reason for this is again because how we treat others, especially family members reflects on God and shows others what our real relationship with Him is like. Remember: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14–15)
So how we treat every member of our family on earth is very important to God. He speaks of it all through the entire bible, over and over again. However, we often don't understand what the Lord means when He tells us to "honor our parents". To find out, I first checked out may cross references, some of which I've already shared, and looked it up in a lot of different books to see just what they'd say. Let me share some of my notes to help you with this:
Do you honor your parents as God asks us to, even if they are not Christians? The manner in which you treat your parents will set an example for the way your children will treat you. Do you criticize or ridicule them when you talk to others about them? Are you unwilling to forgive a wrong they may have committed against you? Do you graciously tolerate their criticism of you? If the family you grew up in lacked a healthy family atmosphere, there is still time to change that. Determine what you need to do to resolve any differences or meet any needs they have. Do they need financial assistance? Can they benefit from your spiritual guidance? Do they have any errands you can run or chores you can do for them? If they live far away from you, communicate with them by letter or phone on a regular basis. Make the last years they spend on this earth their most rewarding. MacArthur, J. F., Jr. The Fulfilled Family.
Do We Hear His Voice? Do we honor our parents? If they are still living, do them good. Give them your time, your money, your soul. This is acceptable to God (see 1 Timothy 5:4). Have we unforgiveness in our hearts? Then forgive or you will not be forgiven. Do we lack love? Then we must get on our knees and ask God to pour His love through us, or we have no biblical grounds to think we are saved. Are we easily irritated? Do we obey traffic laws; do we love and pray with our spouse; do we read God’s Word daily; do we pay all our taxes; is our thoughtlife pure—do we daily confess our sins and ask for cleansing when necessary ... are we zealous for God? These questions are merely soul-searchers to see if we have the things that accompany salvation. This is the profile of the normal Christian. If we lack these things, better we realize it now, rather than on Judgment Day.
Is God speaking to you about something right now? Don’t let my words distract you. Stop reading this book and resolve to do what you have failed to do, and undo what you should not have done. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If you leave that thing undone, you will give a foothold to the enemy. It will leave a gaping hole in your armor. Repent now, while there is time. Comfort, R. (1999). How to win souls & influence people
The Bible consistently teaches that we should honor & obey our parents (Lv 19:3; Dt 5:16; Pr 23:22; Mt 15:4; 19:19; Mk 7:10; 10:19; Lk 18:20; Eph 6:1–2; Col 3:20), following the example of Jesus Himself. Since the family is the key component to society, proper relationships must be maintained. Honor means to prize highly, to show respect, to glorify & exalt. The key to societal stability is reverence & respect for parents & their authority. One of the reasons for the Babylonian exile was a failure to honor parents (Eze 22:7, 15). The Apostle Paul individualized this national promise when he applied the truth to believers in his day (cf. Mt 15:4; Mk 7:10; Eph 6:1–3). The Apologetics Study Bible; The Open Bible; Spirit filled life; The MacArthur study Bible
Ephesians 6:2: Honor. While Ephesians 6:1 speaks of action, this term speaks of attitude, as Paul deals with the motive behind the action. When God gave His law in the Ten Commandments, the first law governing human relationships was this one (Ex 20:12; Dt 5:16). It is the only command of the 10 that relates to the family because that principle alone secures the family’s fulfillment. Cf. Ex 21:15, 17; Lv 20:9; Mt 15:3–6. Proverbs affirms this principle (see Proverbs 1:8; Proverbs 3:1; Proverbs 4:1–4; Proverbs 7:1–3; Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 17:21; Proverbs 19:13, Proverbs 19:26; Proverbs 28:24). The MacArthur study Bible
Here Paul cites the fifth commandment (Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16) and applies it to the NT believer. This does not mean that the Christian is “under the Law,” for Christ has set us free from both the curse and the bondage of the Law (Gal. 3:13; 5:1). But the righteousness of the Law is still a revelation of the holiness of God, and the Holy Spirit enables us to practice that righteousness in our daily lives (Rom. 8:1–4). All of the Ten Commandments are repeated in the NT epistles for the Christian to observe except, “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.” It is just as wrong for a NT Christian to dishonor his parents as it was for an OT Jew. To “honor” our parents means much more than simply to obey them. It means to show them respect and love, to care for them as long as they need us, and to seek to bring honor to them by the way we live. The Bible exposition commentary
Prov 1:8, 9 Note that “fear of the Lord” (Prov 1:7) is closely associated with reverencing and honoring parents (also see 1 Pet. 5:5). Obedience to parents has divine sanction and adds beauty to moral character, even as ornaments and jewels set off personal appearance. Believer’s Study Bible
The word translated “honor” is the Greek word timao, which simply means “to reverence, to worship, to hold in awe, to value at a high price.” It is used to speak of Jesus and God the Father in John 5:23. We are to have this attitude of honor, respect, and reverence toward our parents all our lives. Honoring our parents is not an attitude only. In Matt 15:1–6, Jesus interprets the commandment “Honor thy father and mother” as referring to financial support. He uses the word honor the way it’s used in 1 Tim 5:17. It can be translated “to give money to” or “to pay.” So, the OT law of honoring one’s parents meant that as long as a person lived, he was to respect and support his parents. During the first half of a person’s life, the parents give everything they have to supply the needs of their children. When they get to the point in life where they’re no longer able to meet their own needs, it becomes the responsibility of their children to take care of them. That is God’s way of making families stick together. “Why is the fifth commandment so important that God puts a promise with it?” Because it’s the key to all human relationships and the passing on of a righteous heritage. When we honor our parents, and when our relationships in the home are right, we’ll have a full and rich lifetime here, we’ll live with Him in the kingdom for a thousand years, and we’ll live with Him in the new heavens and the new earth for eternity.
Do you honor your parents as God asks us to, even if they are not Christians? The manner in which you treat your parents will set an example for the way your children will treat you. Do you criticize or ridicule them when you talk to others about them? Are you unwilling to forgive a wrong they may have committed against you? Do you graciously tolerate their criticism of you? If the family you grew up in lacked a healthy family atmosphere, there is still time to change that. Determine what you need to do to resolve any differences or meet any needs they have. Do they need financial assistance? Can they benefit from your spiritual guidance? Do they have any errands you can run or chores you can do for them? If they live far away from you, communicate with them by letter or phone on a regular basis. Make the last years they spend on this earth their most rewarding. The Fulfilled Family
The responsibility to honor one’s parents (Ex 20:12) does not cease with leaving and the union of husband with wife (Mt 19:5; Mk 10:7, 8; 1Co 6:16; Eph 5:31) The MacArthur study Bible
Honoring one’s parents is, first of all, an attitude, but true honor also involves a willingness to take care of them when they have needs. Our parents give us all we need in the first couple of decades of our lives. The time eventually comes for most families when the children need to help support the parents. This was the very issue Jesus took up with the Pharisees in Matt 15:4–8. What the Bible Says about Parenting
Deut 21:18–21 this Law is actually an expansion on the fifth commandment to honor one’s parents (5:16) because they were accountable to God for how they raised their families. Thus, by turning his back on his parents, a rebellious son was in effect turning his back on God. Word in life The child is not just to have the proper legal attitude toward the parents; he is to work for a personal relationship to them, in love. Anything less than the personal relationship between the parent and child is not only wrong; it is full of sorrow. True spirituality
But none may claim to love their neighbor while they shrug off their parents. Some of us have some repenting to do. Growing in Christ
Lev 19:32 Honor your parents. Shun the kind of disregard for elderly parents that the world promotes. Hayford’s Bible handbook Do We Hear His Voice? Do we honor our parents? If they are still living, do them good. Give them your time, your money, your soul. This is acceptable to God (see 1 Timothy 5:4). Have we unforgiveness in our hearts? Then forgive or you will not be forgiven. Do we lack love? Then we must get on our knees and ask God to pour His love through us, or we have no biblical grounds to think we are saved. How to win souls & influence people
Finally we need to remember What Timothy said about the last days. “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” (2 Timothy 3:2–5) I wish I could post all of what Wiersbe says about this, but I'll post some of it for you as it's a real eye opener!
There is an emphasis on love: “lovers of their own selves,” lovers of money (“covetous”), “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” The heart of every problem is a problem in the heart. God commands us to love Him supremely, and our neighbors as ourselves (Matt. 22:34–40); but if we love ourselves supremely, we will not love God or our neighbors. ...
“Disobedient to parents” suggests that this apostasy reaches into the family. Children are “unthankful” and do not appreciate what their parents have done for them. They are “unholy” in their attitude toward their parents. “Honor thy father and thy mother” is not widely taught or respected.
The phrase “without natural affection” is the translation of one word that describes “family love.” The family is under attack these days, and, as go its families, so goes the nation.
In place of the natural love that God has put into men and women and families, today we have a good deal of unnatural love which God has condemned (see Rom. 1:18–27; 1 Cor. 6:9–10). It is confusion, and God will judge it (Rom. 1:28–32).
Not only in homes, but out in society and the business world, the characteristics of these perilous times may be seen. “Trucebreakers” (2 Tim. 3:3) describes people who will not try to agree. They are unyielding and irreconcilable and must have their own way.
In order to defend their position, they become “slanderers” [“false accusers,” KJV] and try to tear down the reputations of others. Unfortunately, some of this activity goes on even among professed Christians. “Christian leaders” accuse one another in the pages of their publications.
“Incontinent” means “without self-control.” The motto of our society today is “Do your own thing and enjoy it!” Sad to say, some of the children born to these people do not always enjoy it because they are deformed or handicapped as the result of drugs, alcohol, or venereal diseases.
This lack of self-control reveals itself in a number of ways. “Fierce” means “untamed, brutal.” When these people cannot have their way, they become much like savage beasts. Instead of honoring what is good, they despise what is good and honor what is evil. In society today the standards of right and wrong have been twisted, if not destroyed. “Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil,” cried Isaiah the prophet (Isa. 5:20).
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (2 Ti 3:2–5).
Love is supreme. It's all important for those of us who've been saved. God loved us and poured His love into our hearts so we could return His love and share it with the rest of humanity just as He did. Our very first "mission" is to share that love with our family and that mission continues to the end of our life. It never ends. If we don't show love to our physical family, if we don't honor our parents, we are dishonoring God and worse then an unbeliever. In fact, it's so bad that we're told we should question our salvation. There is no way out of this. God tells us to love everyone even our enemies and not only with words, not only by praying for them, but in our actions as well as our attitudes. Sadly instead of seeing this, we're seeing exactly what Timothy said we would today. It breaks my heart. Especially when I see people who say they are born again, neglecting their parents, or being unforgiving or treating their siblings badly. There is so much more I could say on the subject, but I know this has already gotten "too long". So I'll end it here for now. May God bless you as you continue to walk on the narrow path of life in obedience to Him.
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