What if my parents aren’t worthy of respect?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Exodus 20:12

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Whether you are young or old, you can honor your parents. How? By showing respect. Leviticus 19:3 says, “Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.” The word “fear” doesn’t mean to quake in the presence of your parents, but to have a holy respect for your father and mother.

“Honor” literally means to add weight to. To take our parents seriously; to reverence and respect them.

You may say, “But my parents aren’t worthy of respect.” With all due respect, you aren’t either. None of us are worthy. Only perfect children can demand perfect parents. They are imperfect; we are imperfect. But God is holy, and He says we are to respect our parents.

Their life blood flows in us. Their very life is in us. They would give their life for us. I believe the closest, greatest illustration on earth to the love of God is the love of parents for their children.

ACTION POINT:

What’s your relationship like with your parents? If you’ve been showing less than the biblical respect God requires, then begin today to turn that around for His glory. If your parents are still alive, show that love, show that honor, and do it now. Dead noses smell no roses. I urge you: write that letter now, pay that visit now, send that gift now, do that chore now, give that kiss of affection now. Whatever you’re going to do, do it, and do it now.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers