If, therefore, God has constituted governmental relations in the Christian
home, and invested the parent with authority over his children, who will
deny the coordinate obligations of the child to yield reverence, submission
and gratitude to the parent? "Children, obey your parents in all thing's;
for this is well pleasing unto the Lord."
This is called the first commandment with promise. It is one of promise
both to the parent and the child. Children are bound to obey their parents
in all things, that is, in all things lawful and in accordance with the
revealed will of God. The child is not bound to obey the parent's command
to sin,--to lie, steal, or neglect the means of grace; because these are
express violations of God's law; and in such instances the authority of God
supersedes that of the parent. Obey God rather than man.
But, on the other hand, the obligation of the child is, to obey the parent
in all things lawful and Christian. Where this is not done the Christian
home becomes a curse. What an evil is a refractory child! How often does
the parental eye weep in bitterness over such a child! How often have such
children brought their parents down in sorrow to the grave! Let them think
of this. Let parents think of this before it is too late. Let them think of
the fearful criminality which is attached to parental indulgence and filial
disobedience.
We may neglect and abuse the home-government in two ways, either by
over-indulgence, or by the iron rod of tyranny.
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