Scripture: Exodus 20:12 (NIV) - "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, I want to speak to you about one of the most important and timeless commandments that God has given us: honor your father and your mother. The commandment is not just a suggestion or a piece of advice, but it is a divine directive that comes with a powerful promise.
The Bible clearly states that when we honor our parents, we will enjoy long life in the land that the Lord is giving us.
I. The Command Is Not Conditional
First, we need to understand that this commandment is not conditional.
God does not say, "Honor your parents if they are perfect," or "Honor them if they deserve it."
No. The command to honor is absolute. We are called to honor them simply because they are our parents. Whether they are believers or unbelievers, whether they are strong or weak, God calls us to respect and honor them.
We live in a culture today that often emphasizes personal independence and conditional respect.
Some might say, "I’ll honor my parents if they treat me well" or "I’ll respect them if they agree with my choices."
But this is not the biblical model. The command to honor is based on our relationship to our parents, not on their performance.
Jesus Himself demonstrated this kind of unconditional honor.
Even as He hung on the cross, suffering for the sins of the world, He made sure His mother, Mary, was cared for by asking John to take her into his home (John 19:26-27). His act of honoring His mother wasn't about whether Mary had been a perfect parent but about Jesus fulfilling His divine duty of honoring her.
II. Honoring is a Lifelong Commandment
Honoring our parents is not just for children. It is a lifelong commandment.
The ways in which we honor our parents may change as we grow older, but the responsibility remains the same. For young children, honoring parents may involve obedience, respect, and listening. For adults, it may include caring for them in their old age, seeking their counsel, or speaking to them with kindness and respect.
In Matthew 15:4-6, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for neglecting their elderly parents under the pretense of religious devotion.
He makes it clear that caring for one’s parents is an essential part of honoring them. It is not something we can set aside when it is inconvenient.
God’s expectation of honor spans our entire lives.
III. Honoring Our Parents Honors God
We are ultimately honoring God when we honor our parents.
Our relationship with our parents is often the first human relationship we experience, and it is meant to mirror our relationship with our Heavenly Father. By honoring our parents, we reflect our reverence for the One who gave us life through them.
This is why the command to honor your parents appears in the Ten Commandments, right after the commands related to our relationship with God.
It is a sacred duty, as honoring our parents is one of the ways we express our love and obedience to God.
Apostle Paul reiterates this in Ephesians 6:1-3 when he says, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise—‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’"
IV. The Promise Attached to the Command
Now, let us reflect on the beautiful promise attached to this commandment.
God says that if we honor our parents, we will enjoy long life in the land He has given us. This promise reveals God’s heart of blessing toward those who obey Him.
The "long life" promised here is not just about the quantity of our days but also the quality. It speaks to a life lived in peace, in fulfillment, and in the favor of God.
We open ourselves up to His blessing when we align ourselves with God's will by honoring our parents. It doesn’t mean that life will be free of challenges, but it does mean that we will live in the peace of knowing we have pleased God.
The "land" referred to in this passage speaks to the abundant life God has promised His children.
While for the Israelites, it referred to the physical land of Canaan, for us today, it signifies the fullness of life in Christ. We position ourselves to receive His grace and His provision in our lives when we obey God's command.
V. What If My Parents Have Hurt Me?
Some of you may be asking, "What if my parents have deeply hurt me? How do I honor them in that case?"
Let me be clear: honoring your parents does not mean condoning sin or abuse. Honoring them doesn’t mean you accept or excuse wrongdoing. But you can still honor them by forgiving them and treating them with respect, even if boundaries are necessary for your well-being.
Forgiveness is key here.
Jesus calls us to forgive those who have hurt us, and that includes our parents. Holding on to bitterness or resentment will only harm us in the long run.
Let's choose to honor our parents, even in difficult circumstances. By doing this, we are choosing to reflect the grace and mercy that Christ has shown us.
Conclusion
In closing, I want to remind you of the power and importance of honoring your parents. It is not a conditional command; it is a lifelong calling.
When we honor our parents, we honor God, and in doing so, we open ourselves to the promise of His blessing.
Whether your parents were examples of faith or deeply flawed, God calls us to honor them as an act of obedience to Him.
Let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us honor our parents with grace, respect, and love, knowing that as we do, we are walking in the will of our Heavenly Father, who desires to bless us and give us life abundant.
May the Lord bless you and keep you as you seek to honor Him in this way. Amen.
