Tag: parents

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Colossians

Living as Christ’s representatives: What does it mean?

Representative of Christ

I love the way the NLT translates verse 17.

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:17)

Whenever we do something in the “name of someone,” we do act as their representative, but I had never seen that verse in that light before. And it seems to flow over into the following verses.

Wives, as representatives of Christ to your husband, respect your husband and submit to his leadership in your home. (3:18)

Husbands, as representatives of Christ, love your wife, and don’t be harsh with them. (3:19)

Children, as representatives of Christ, obey your parents. (3:20)

Fathers, as representatives of Christ, don’t embitter your children, lest they become discouraged. (3:21)

Slaves, as representatives of Christ, obey your masters in everything and not just when they’re looking, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord. (3:22-25)

(We, of course, don’t have slaves nowadays, but we could equally say these things of any working person.)

Masters, as representatives of Christ, treat your slaves (or in our day, employees) fairly because you know you have a Master in heaven. (4:1)

In other words, in all our relationships, remember who you’re representing. You’re representing Jesus Christ. To your husband, to your wife, to your parents, to your children, to your boss, and to your employees.

When you disrespect your husband as head of the family, what kind of representative are you being?

When you treat your wife harshly, what kind of representative are you being?

When you disobey your parents, what kind of representative are you being?

When you embitter your children, what kind of representative are you being?

When you work half-heartedly, what kind of representative are you being?

When you treat your employees unfairly, what kind of representative are you being?

In all your relationships, with friends, neighbors, coworkers, brothers and sisters in Christ, what kind of representative of Jesus Christ are you being?

Can others see him in you? Or do they only see you?

What kind of representative of Christ are you?

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Ephesians

Following our Father’s example

Ephesians

In this chapter, we see an extension of Paul’s teaching on our relationship with God and how it shows in our relationships with each other.

In chapter 5, we see that just as the church submits to Christ as her husband, a wife is to submit to her husband.

And just as Christ loves the church and treats it as part of himself, so a husband is to love his wife and treat her as part of himself, for God has joined them together as one.

Here in chapter 6, we see the parent-child relationship we have with God. Paul says,

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. (Ephesians 6:1)

Why is it right?

Because God has given the children to their parents as a trust. He has given them responsibility over their children for that time of growing up and maturing.

So it’s only right that children obey, even if they don’t always understand all their parents tell them to do.

It’s also right because it’s a picture of our relationship to God.

He is our Father. And unlike our earthly fathers and mothers, he truly does know what is best.

And so even when we don’t always understand why God tells us to do certain things, we should obey. For only in doing so, will we find true blessing.

That’s why Paul says,

“Honor your father and mother” — which is the first commandment with a promise — “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-3)

A child’s obedience to their parents is to be a picture to them of the blessing that comes when we are obedient to God.

Unfortunately, not all parent-child relationships are a good picture of that.

Why? Because parents fail to show what God is truly like in their actions. They don’t discipline their children. Or just as bad, they discipline them too harshly.

Some parents try to motivate their children by never praising them and always criticizing them.

Other parents fail to show sympathy for their children in their troubles and may instead mock them.

These things fracture their relationship with their children and warp their view of God as their Father.

And so Paul tells parents,

“Fathers, do not exasperate (or embitter — Colossians 3:21) your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)

Just as our Father in heaven loves and raises us, so we are to follow our Father’s example and love and raise our children.

Two questions to close.

How well did your parents portray God to you in how they raised you?

If they didn’t do so well, then remember to take your eyes off of them, and put your eyes fully on Him. Because no matter how badly your parents failed you, God never will.

How well are you portraying God to your children? Do they see God in you?

I know I fail too often. And so my prayer is that God will continue to change me, so that my daughter can see God in me.

What kind of parent are you?

Categories
Proverbs

Where we get our counsel

Way back when I was in high school, I heard a song called, “Who to listen to.”  And it said,

You’ve got to know who to, who not to listen to.
They’re gonna hit you from all sides,
Gotta make up your mind who to,
Who not to listen to. — Amy Grant

That’s essentially what Solomon is saying here in this passage.

He starts by saying who we should listen to.

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.  (Proverbs 1:8-9)

Inasmuch as our parents teach us what’s in accord with God’s word, we would be wise to listen to them.  Their experiences in life outstrip our own, and they can give us insight that we can lack at times.

I can look back on the things my father taught me, the need for friends, and the need for integrity in my life in particular, and I’m very grateful for the instruction that he gave me.

They weren’t really long lectures either.  Neither conversation lasted more than 10 minutes, although I have to say the one on integrity was pretty painful as it came when my dad had caught me in a lie.

But the things I learned from him helped me grow into the man I am today.  I’m so grateful to and for him.

Solomon goes on to say, however,

My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.  (10)

Solomon speaks here specifically of those who would entice you to join them in attacking and stealing from others, and how it will all fall upon your own head if you join in with them.

But the principal holds for any other sins people might try to entice you into.

I had a friend who was invited to go to on a trip specifically for the purpose of engaging prostitutes.  He was wise enough to turn them down.

Others are not so wise, and they end up with AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Sometimes people are even hoping for your best, but give you advice contrary to the Word of God.  Sometimes, for example, they encourage you to sleep with your girlfriend, or to even move in with her, when God clearly says not to.

The result?  Unwanted pregnancies, abortions, and a lot of hurt and pain.

Who are you listening to?  Where are you getting your advice from?

Wherever you get it from, always compare what the people around you are saying with what God is saying.

Where it agrees, follow it.  Where it disagrees, follow the standards God has laid down.

Not only will you avoid trouble by doing so, but you’ll find true joy as well.