Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Obedience in Christ’s love
Ephesians 6:1-14
“Honor your father and mother”
 The institution of the home is what is being attacked in our society, many people especially youths are broken, because their households are broken. Honor your father and mother; we have heard this being taught from our youngest age in Sunday school. But there is a promise with this commandment that 'it may go well with you and you may live long in the land'. God says when you honor your parents your promised long life in your stay here on earth. All parents desire children to honor them, but parents may I suggest as Paul proclaims, 'do not provoke your children to anger'. Sometimes the parents need to listen to what their children are going through, and through love and grace guide their children to the proper ways of the Lord. Through anger nothing will be communicated, the best way for children to respect their parents and obey is for them to know that the parents understand their struggles.
     Paul also continues with this theme of obedience but with slaves and masters. How respectful are you at work? Do we as a people struggle with submitting to authority? Paul is writing that we as believers should communicate our faith in our humility of submission to authority. He also writes that masters should not threaten your slaves. If you are in a place of authority the Bible states that we should not abuse authority, there is a quote by John Acton that states "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." One of the biggest problems we face in society today is that people abuse power and mistreat people below them. Brothers and sisters this should not creep into the church of Jesus Christ, we need to exercise our authority we have from God in sincerity and humility because God is the ultimate authority. We as the representatives of Christ are not here to exploit anyone by any authority we have. Finally Paul exhorts the believers to put on the Full Armor of God, this is a very illustrative imagery of what the Roman soldiers use to wear on the day of battle. Likewise Paul had a revelation that we as Christians also need to wear armor that comes from God because we are in a war against the enemy. Paul clearly states that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, what a revelation! Do you know that your problem is not with your co-worker or your spouse the real root of it is spiritual? If we wage warfare through prayer and fasting we will achieve the results we are looking for! Each day when we get up let's make sure we put the armor of prayer and the Word of God that equips us to fight against the fiery darts of the enemy. No soldier in war puts down his weapon or takes of his armor, neither should we! Learn to use your authority in Christ against the enemy. Stay protected and be blessed!
Prayer: Loving God we thank you for the gift of families. Help us to bring glory to your name though our relationships. Amen
Thought for the Day:  No soldier in war puts down his weapon or takes of his armor, neither should we!

Deepak Mathew, Epiphany MTC, NY


Theme for the week: The sacrament of Marriage

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