Colossians 3:20

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

'CHILDREN' -including all minors and all who are still at home or under parental care. 'Children' also need to realize that the obligation to honor one's parents, never ceases (Matthew 15:3).

'OBEY YOUR PARENTS' -Which is compassionate and fair. Please note that God doesn't buy into the commune concept of children being raised and disciplined by every adult around. God desires that children have specific parents.

'IN ALL THINGS' -That is all those things which would be in harmony with the will of God (Ephesians 6:1). Such phrases are always subject to the limitation of Acts 5:29.

Points to Note:

1. God views children as accountable and as responsible individuals within the congregation. Specific commands have been directed to children, God is talking to children also (Ecclesiastes 2:1).

2. God also views children as possessing. freewill and capable to making right choices. God doesn't view children as inherently depraved, having inherited the sins of their forefathers.

3. Note that God doesn't view disobedience to parents as "natural", "a stage", "to be expected", etc...Rather, disobedience to parents is one of the vices of paganism (Romans 1:30). It is. sign of wickedness, and that one has really sunk to. low level of personal integrity (2 Timothy 3:2). It is. demonstration of extreme selfishness.

'FOR THIS IS WELL-PLEASING IN THE LORD' -(Colossians 3:18; Ephesians 6:1)

Point to Note:

Children were obeying their parents long before Jesus died for our sins. But this is. different type or quality of obedience. This isn't the grudging obedience found in the world. And neither is it, 'I will merely cooperate now, but once. turn 18, they can't tell me what to do anymore.' Rather, this is an obedience that pleases God, that finds favor with both God and men (Luke 2:52).