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1Children, obey your parents in
the Lord, for this is right. 2"Honor your father and
mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise-- 3"that
it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
4Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them
up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Paul’s command to fathers is pointed. He tells dads not to “exasperate” their children, which means surrendering any right they may fee they have to act unreasonably toward their children. Instead, fathers are to train their children , as a coach trains an athlete, in the ways of the Lord. A godly father always treats his children in a manner that befits their standing as children of God. A child who can see Christ working through his or her father will be more likely to cultivate a personal relationship with Christ. If you’re a dad, do you do things that needlessly frustrate your children? Do you balance correction with affirmation and discipline with play? Do you let Christ’s love show through you to your children?
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