The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
June 4, 2006
In
This Issue:
Are
You Weary in Well Doing?
by
Steve Klein
Children
Obey
by
Boyd Sellers
Are You Weary in Well Doing?
A wealthy heiress hired a new maid, who proceeded on her first day of work to drag around the house with all the vim and vigor of an aging snail. Finally, the mistress asked the maid, "Isn't there anything you can do quickly?" "Yes ma'am," said the maid, "I can get tired in a hurry!"
There are probably a lot of people who can get tired of doing housework in a hurry. Much of it involves labor that is little appreciated by others and will soon have to be repeated. The same can be true when it comes to our labor in the Lord's house. Bible study, worship attendance, visiting the sick, teaching Bible classes, prayer, and dealing with temptation are sometimes viewed as the spiritual equivalents of vacuuming and dusting. Because they must be done repeatedly, we may think of them as unpleasant or unproductive chores. And if that is our attitude, we'll get tired of them. But in 2 Thessalonians 3:13 Paul urged, "But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good."
Feeling tired is often more a state of mind than a lack of physical energy. If we are properly motivated, weariness will seldom prevent us from doing what should be done. The New Testament provides Christians with tremendous motivation to continue doing good. It tells us that we should not become weary in working for the Lord because&ldots;
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We'll reap a reward for doing good. Housework may not pay all that well, but working for the Lord does. In Galatians 6:9 Paul wrote, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
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Others have worked harder. When we compare our efforts to those that Jesus put forth on our behalf, how can we be tired? Hebrews 12:3-4 says, "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin."
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Others have received a great reward. Hebrews 6:12 states, "Do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."
Jesus commended the church at Ephesus because they "persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary" (Revelation 2:3). Let us, like the Ephesians, be tireless in our labors, "not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord" (Romans 12:11).
-- Steve Klein
There are few things more repulsive than a defiant, disobedient, rebellious child. Yet, there is absolutely nothing more delightful than the one who is godly, obedient, and spiritually involved - especially if he is yours. Solomon captures that contrasting picture in fewer words: "A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a grief to his mother" (Proverbs 10:1). We can safely conclude that it is godly, obedient, "wise" children the psalmist has in mind when he pronounces the man "blessed" who has his "quiver full of them" (Psalm 127:3-5).
GOD COMMANDS OBEDIENCE
Because God has our good in mind (Deuteronomy 6:24), He commands, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right." (Ephesians 6:1-3; cf. Colossians 3:20; Proverbs 6:20-23). To obey is "right." To disobey is wrong. If disobedience is allowed, it will bring sorrow and grief to the home and a wrecked life to the child. God demands obedience and so must parents!
THE NATURE OF OBEDIENCE
It is essential that both parents and children understand the nature of obedience. True obedience involves proper attitudes as well as proper actions. There is the idea in the word "obey" that signifies a readiness to respond in a positive way to instruction, counsel, and correction (i.e. a good attitude). True obedience accepts authority and willingly responds to it. It is demonstrated by action that has three characteristics: It is immediate, not "after while" or "later." It is unquestioning, not with an "If I have to" or "Do I have to" attitude. And, it is to the letter (i.e. no substitutions, additions, or omissions). It is a mistake for parents to accept as "obedience" something other than what they have asked the child to do. The child who washes the car for you, when he was told to mow the lawn, has not been "obedient."
NOT A SINGLE ACT
It is also important to notice that the command, "Children obey..." (Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20) suggests continuous, habitual action. The idea is "keep on obeying." True obedience is not a single act. It is the action of one who is submissive. This child will obey even when Mom and Dad are out of sight. He has a respect for their authority that goes beyond their literal presence.
OBEDIENCE BUILDS CHARACTER
There are side benefits to having children who obey their parents. Obedience builds character in the child. The obedient child is dependable and trustworthy You know that he will do what he says he will do. Obedience builds respect and responsibility in the child. "The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him." (Proverbs 23:24).
THREE MOTIVES FOR CHILDREN TO OBEY
There are numerous reasons for children to obey their parents. Let me suggest three. First of all, God demands that children obey, as we have noticed, and God's commands are not optional. He ordained that children have a place of subjection in the home. "Children obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord." (Colossians 3:20). Second, children need to obey for their own good. A disobedient child is a source of shame and heartache to parents. However, the saddest thing of all is to see what disobedience does to the child himself. A disobedient child eventually ruins his own life. Sin is self-destructive. Solomon tells us, "A child left to himself brings his mother to shame." (Proverbs 29:15). "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child..." (Proverbs 22:15). Children need to obey parents for their own good! And third, Parents desire obedience. This seems to be the appeal of Solomon in Proverbs 23:24-25 when he says (perhaps to his own son), "The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begats a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her rejoice who gave birth to you." And then again in Proverbs 27:11, "Be wise my son and make my heart glad that I may reply to him who reproaches me." David prayed for Solomon, "Give to my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do them all..." (I Chronicles 29:19). A parent has no greater source of joy than to see his own child develop into a godly, devoted Christian.
CONCLUSION
Jesus was an honor to His parents (Luke 2:51). The little maid in Naaman's house (2 Kings 5) was an honor to her parents. And so were Joseph and Daniel and Timothy and others. What about our young people? What about you, young man or young lady? Solomon makes a profound observation in Proverbs 20:11, "It is by his deeds that a child makes himself known if his conduct is pure and right." You may not like it but others place us in categories based on our conduct. I like the way the King James Version says it, "Even a child is known by his doings..." We can predict final outcomes by present actions and attitudes - even in children. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right."
--Boyd Sellers
Via The Berean, Volume 5, No. 4, June 1996
-- Bill Hall