Unity through respect

TODAY'S READING: Ephesians 6:1-3
Respect. Sacrifice. Honor. They are all vital to a healthy relationship. As Paul reminds us of the Commandment handed down to Moses centuries earlier, he adds a charge for a children to obey their parents.
We so often remove passages of Scripture out of their context. If we do that here, we miss some of the flavor of what Paul is talking about. If you have a few minutes, go back and read chapters four, five, and six of Ephesians.
In Ephesians 4:1-16, Paul discusses our unity in the body of Christ and how every part must do its work.
In Ephesians 4:17-5:20, he goes on to describe a number of details about what living together will look like. Paul talks about how we treat one another and the various sinful behaviors that can damage relationships.
In Ephesians 5:21-6:9, Paul discusses specific relationships: husband and wife, parents and children, and master and slave (which also applies to employer and employee).
It is in the middle of that part of his letter that Paul talks about children honoring and obeying their parents. When I look at these few verses in light of what Paul is talking about before and after, it tells me that children obeying and honoring their parents is a part of the larger healthiness of the church.
In order for the body of Christ to be "healthy and growing and full of love" (Ephesians 4:16) we must all work together in the roles we have. We will not have effective parents in the next generation unless children today learn to honor and obey their parents. This places incredible responsibility on parents and children to work together. We must all learn to respect each other.
Children show respect by honoring and obeying their parents. Paul describes in Ephesians 6:4 one way that parents - especially fathers - can show respect to their children. "And now a word to you fathers. Don't make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord."
Let's commit today to working harder on showing respect for one another. As we strive to treat each other with love and respect, the body of Christ will be unified and strengthened. Then Christ's light can shine even brighter through our families.

shine!
Jason