Honor Your Parents

"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord you God is giving you." Exod. 20:12

We are told that this fifth commandment is the first commandment containing a promise. Here are some basic thoughts on honoring your father and mother thus obeying God's command.

1. Honor means respect. It does not say to only honor them if they are good or if they are perfect. I take it to mean that we are to honor the position more than the person. This is a marriage commandment. 

2. Honor means maintaining the relationships. Taking the time and making the effort to keep the lines of communications open.

3. Honor could imply taking care of them as they age. This might be a stretch, but it is true that giving is proof of your love.

4. Honoring parents does something to us. I makes us better people. I teaches us how to successfully work in any field. It teaches us how to live that we might live blessed lives.

5. The God factor. It is the Lord who commands this. It is the Lord who gives the land. This only works if the Lord Jesus is involved.

6. Honor is not blind obedience. Do not go to Hell over a family obligation. At some point you have to honor God first. Honoring your parents teaches you how to honor God.