Confidence About the Future

As we continued our look at the relationships people were to have with each other in early Christianity, we turned to the relationship of children and their parents (Ephesians 6:1-4; Colossians 3:20-21).

The fifth commandment is the first commandment with a promise (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16; Ephesians 6:2-3).

As we ponder why this is so, we can see how it is the first commandment that we must instill in children. Children learn to respect and obey God by learning to respect and obey their parents.

Whether we are teaching our children the first four commandments (Exodus 20:3-11) or the last five (Exodus 20:13-17), they all begin with our instilling in them respect for divinely established authority.

The promise of a blessed life is set against the curse that is promised for those who disrespect their parents (Proverbs 30:17). Indeed, parents who love their children train them to obey (Proverbs 23:13-14), and those who do not train their children to do this hate their children (Proverbs 13:24).

In times of difficulty, some people think that it is better not to bring children into the world. But such thinking is utterly contrary to God's Word. The uncertainties of life during the things related to COVID-19 are nothing to compare with the persecutions believers faced under the Roman emperors of the first century. Yet the Apostle Paul instructed Timothy to encourage young widows to remarry and bring more children into the world (1 Timothy 5:14).

How can this be?

God has given wonderful promises to us regarding children (Acts 2:38-39; Acts 16:31), promises that continue those given to Abraham (Genesis 17:7).