“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12

In our catechism, we know this commandment as the Fourth Commandment: “Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother, that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. What does this mean? Answer: We should fear and love God that we may not despise our parents and masters, nor provoke them to anger, but give them honor, serve and obey them, and hold them in love and esteem.” — 1912 Catechism

This commandment of the LORD requires us to honor our parents (and all whom God has placed over us) as our God-given representatives. Children are to obey their parents; and parents — especially fathers — are to bring up their children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:1-4; Col. 3:20-21; Deut. 6:4-9).

The only exception to God’s command to honor and obey parents is that we are “to obey God rather than men” when there exists a conflict between the will of parents (and authorities) and the will of God Himself (cf. Acts 5:29; cf. Dan. 3 and 6).

This means that children sin against God when they disobey their parents and do not show them the honor and respect which God requires. Parents too are guilty of sin when they do not bring up their children to know the LORD and His ways.

How thankful we can be that Jesus Christ kept this commandment perfectly for us, not only in deed but in word and desire! The Scriptures tell us that He submitted Himself to His parents and honored them (Luke 2:51; cf. John 19:25-27).

And, how thankful we can be that Jesus also bore upon the cross the just punishment for our sin! In Him, we sinners find pardon and forgiveness; and, in Him, we find strength and guidance to amend our ways and live in accord with God’s will and command.

Dear Lord Jesus, Son of God and our Savior, forgive our sins against the perfect will of God, our Maker, and give us the desire to live our lives for You. Amen.

[Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible]