THE CHILDREN'S DUTIES

It was in the island-country of Crete that Paul expected Titus to find households where there were "believing children". This is the more remarkable because most of the inhabitants were evil people and liars. One of their own prophets admitted this. God was, however, already working amongst those very people and many would learn to be "ready for every good work". In the epistle to Titus these words follow immediately the rule of obedience without which, therefore, good cannot result.

Obedience to parents was the first commandment to which God added a promise. The children in Ephesus listening to Paul's epistle being read out would learn this and be taught to obey their parents "in the Lord". This makes it greater than a commandment and by being obedient out of love they would not only honour father and mother, but would also please their Lord. We must always remember that Jesus Himself learned what it was to be obedient - even unto the death of the cross. He has been highly exalted and therefore all our blessing flows from His obedience and its glorious consequences.

It is interesting that the chapter in the epistle to the Ephesians which begins with obeying parents is the one that describes the whole armour of God. When young we know little about the war against wickedness, but it is believers who have learned to be obedient who become the recruits who wear this armour and stand for the truth.

If we do not know the will of our Father who is in the heavens we are able to find out by communion with Him just as a child can ask a parent. Even among animals some learn to obey by watching their owners. In fact, a farmer's dog is not fully trained until he will look to his master's eye before chasing a rabbit, and not after! With other animals a bridle or a stick is necessary to lead them in the right way and God's merciful providence to us is often like that. But would you not prefer, as is possible and right, to be guided by His eye upon you?

J.C.Evershed