Main Entry: obedience
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: good behavior; submissiveness
Synonyms: accordance, acquiescence, agreement, compliance, conformability, conformity, deference, docility, duteousness, dutifulness, duty, manageability, meekness, observance, orderliness, quietness, respect, reverence, servility, submission, subservience, tameness, tractability, willingness
Antonyms: bad behavior, disobedience, misbehavior, mischief, mutiny, rebellion
Thank you, thesaurus.com!
It is becoming more and more apparent that we don't like the words that God uses in His Word. They are too harsh. They are not politically correct. They make us uncomfortable. Well, nobody really follows everything so rigid anymore. This thought process is not new! The Bible is filled with accounts of people who thought they knew better than the Creator of the World. The questioning began in Heaven when Lucifer thought he had a better understanding than God. God relieved him of his service and removed him very quickly! He has been hard at work ever since.
OBEDIENCE has become a foreign word and concept to many parents...and adults. "My word, you can't expect people to live up to that standard. They are only children...they probably didn't understand the guidelines that were put out for them. We just need to love them. There are so many distractions...they just can't be expected to know what was happening." And the children run wild. We teach our children that the Bible is God's love letter to the world. God is love. So what do we do about the whole book of Proverbs? What about Ephesians? What about the book of John? What about I Corinthians? We say we love children and care about them...but often...we demonstrate a selfish love by not taking "the whole counsel of God"! We leave out things that make us uncomfortable. We create chaos for our children.
Read the synonyms listed above. There are many words to choose. Call it what you want...but it all boils down to a submission to what God expects. And someday...we will come face to face with our unbelief toward what God expects.
Meanwhile, the children...look at the adults around them and scoff. "What are you going to do about it?" They know the words and threats are empty. They have called our bluff. "Well, they are just kids...they are not my kids...I don't want them to get upset..." AND ADULTS ARE BEING RUN RAGGED BY CHILDREN WHO ARE OUT OF CONTROL!
What is even more astounding to me...Christians have fallen into that line of thinking. We have become wishy-washy and weak. We don't teach our children. We get angry or offended when people speak the truth. We operate according to what makes us feel good, rather than by what God's Word has clearly defined. Mothers are frustrated, Fathers are lethargic, and children are running "amuck" in the home, school, city, church, or wherever else the parents drag them!
Whatever happened to Christians...believers...Christ followers...following God's Instruction Book? What has happened to training others to "Follow God's Way...It's the best way!" Families are struggling...some don't even know it...because they don't know Who God Is.
We have been teaching children all week about Who God Is. We have had clear and direct messages about Who God Is and what He wants each person to do. Evang. Brail has used wonderful "tricks" to help the children understand this truth. We sing good songs, have fun games, do crafts, eat snacks, and supply neat prizes. This is an important time. We can teach our children many good things...but we have to help them choose those good things...they don't do it just because we taught it! We have to get up and get busy and practice what has been taught! When you stand or sit back and do nothing to help them practice what they have been taught...holding them accountable...you have just wasted alot of time! It is common sense.
Our children are learning Who God Is...they have also learned that they need to follow His Word. God's Word says children are to obey! Children can and will obey. We have taught the children in Children's Church, I Cor. 14:40 "Let all things be done decently and in order." We have had to spend time to help them understand and then we have had to work to enforce what God expects. It doesn't just happen!
Children want to know the rules and boundaries. They feel safe! Children want to know that the people teaching them, know the rules and will follow them. Rules are for everybody! (We need to go to God's Word for our rules. Rules aren't based on likes or dislikes. Rules serve a purpose. If the rules don't work, they need to be re-evaluated.) Children also know how to work those in authority to get around the rules if they don't like them. It is called manipulation!
Children...like adults...have sin natures and will most often choose the path of least resistance. But they still want to know there are rules...what they are...and who is going to enforce them.
After the last few months in our home and at church...and then this week of VBS...we see the need to raise our expectations to what the Lord has already layed out in God's Word. Actually, maybe, we need to first set some basic expectations and then consistently practice them!
Basic obedience is a good start.
Do you expect immediate obedience from your children? Do you expect obedience toward other authority...male or female? Do you expect obedience with a right attitude? Do you expect obedience without question? Do you undermind expectations of God-given authority? (Mom, do you follow Dad's rules when he isn't around? Dad, are you giving leadership to your wife and children? Mom, are you being consistent each and every day?) It is hard work...but we are expected to do that work.
I wonder if we really understand our role in teaching our children to obey? Ephesians 4, 5, and 6 lay out a very thorough expectation for what happens in the home. If the home isn't in agreement...chaos will errupt...anywhere and anytime. Expect chaos...if you don't expect obedience...or any form of it!
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