Colossians 3:20 - Homilies By T. Croskery.

The duties of children.

"Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing to the Lord."

I. THE DUTY OF CHILDREN m OBEDIENCE . This includes:

1 . Reverence. (Le 19:3; Ephesians 6:1 , Ephesians 6:2 .)

2 . Readiness to receive instruction from parents. ( Proverbs 1:8 .)

3 . Submission to their rebukes. ( Proverbs 13:1 .)

4 . Gratitude. ( 1 Timothy 5:4 .)

5 . Submission to their just commands. They are to obey "in all things," that is, in all lawful things, for it must be done "in the Lord" ( Ephesians 6:1 ).

II. THE GROUNDS OF THIS DUTY . "For this is well pleasing to the Lord." This is, in itself, a sufficient reason for filial obedience, But it is well pleasing to the Lord for several reasons. It is not enough to serve God, but we must serve him so as to please him ( Hebrews 12:28 ).

1 . It is agreeable to his Law. ( Exodus 20:12 .)

2 . It is right in itself. ( Ephesians 6:1 .)

3 . Christ was obedient to his parents. ( Luke 2:51 .)

4 . It is necessary to the good order of family life.

5 . The welfare of the child depends upon its obedience, especially at a time when it cannot reason upon what is right.—T. C.