The Duties of Children and Parents
Dec. 16, 2012
Richard Adams (1626-1698), in this article (a transcript of a sermon), examines Colossians 3:20-21 and explains the duties that both parents and their children have toward each other.
“Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the LORD. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged” - Colossians 3:20-21
This is a topic where we all need serious instruction repeatedly. I intend to show the duties of both children and parents from Scripture, and how to fulfill these duties. In the first two main points, I shall expound the text and then exhort you to fulfill it. Under the third point I shall give further directions as to how you may be godly children and parents. [This abridgement omits much detail and many Scripture references in the original sermon.]
Doctrine: God’s Pleasure And Children’s Encouragement Should Move Christian Children To Obedience, And Parents To Moderate Control, In All Things.
1. The Duty Itself: “Obey Your Parents.” This means a humble subjection to their authority and control, with a ready performance of what they require. It is the same as giving “honor” to your parents (Exod. 20:12), which connotes valuing highly and revering one’s parents (Lev. 19:3, 14). The disposition of a godly child is a combination of love and fear which moves him to obedience. We may further describe four elements. The first three are active obedience, while the fourth is passive obedience.
A. Reverence. Begins with reverence for God, the Parent of us all (Acts 17:28). True reverence results in an earnest desire to behave yourselves in everything you do with a view toward pleasing your parents.
1) With respect to your speech. You should speak reverently of your parents both in their presence and absence. Give them honorable titles like “father” and “mother” and “lor
