When our oldest two children were in kindergarten and first grade we lived in the little community of Arlington, AZ. Arlington is in the middle of farmland and there was only a little store and a post office. So, we would take a break from baling hay when we could and go for a treat at the Dairy Queen which was 30 miles away.
If we told the kids we were taking them on Friday you can be sure that Friday morning they started reminding us of our promise. After all, a promise made is a promise kept.
That’s what I want you to remember about this morning’s verses from Ephesians. God, the Father, is a loving parent and when He makes a promise He keeps it.
“Children, you belong to the Lord, and you do the right thing when you obey your parents. The first commandment with a promise says, 2 “Obey your father and your mother, 3 and you will have a long and happy life.”
4 Parents, don’t be hard on your children. Raise them properly. Teach them and instruct them about the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-4 CEV
Not only does the Bible give instruction to the children it also gives us, as parents, instruction.
“Fathers, do not be too hard on your children so they will become angry. Teach them in their growing years with Christian teaching.” Ephesians 6:4 NLV
We are to teach our children well. Teach them to be honest, loving, kind, understanding, respectful, and obedient. But, our teaching methods should never be harsh or demeaning. We should refrain from ridicule and criticism and instead use the same characteristics and qualities that God uses as He helps us to grow and mature into His image.
Speak the truth in love.
This same instruction follows through in our workplace relationships. Whether we are the employer or the employee, we have a responsibility before God to act in a way that pleases Him.
“Slaves, you must obey your earthly masters. Show them great respect and be as loyal to them as you are to Christ. 6 Try to please them at all times, and not just when you think they are watching. You are slaves of Christ, so with your whole heart you must do what God wants you to do. 7 Gladly serve your masters, as though they were the Lord himself, and not simply people. 8 You know that you will be rewarded for any good things you do, whether you are slaves or free.
9 Slave owners, you must treat your slaves with this same respect. Don’t threaten them. They have the same Master in heaven that you do, and he doesn’t have favorites.” Ephesians 6:5-9 CEV
If we are in someone’s employ we should be respectful and obedient. If they ask us to do something that goes contrary to God’s word, it’s time to look for a new job. We should work in such a way that God is pleased with what we do. He will reward us for our diligence.
And if we are in a place of authority with others working for us we must also please the Lord in how we lead. Those working for us should be treated with respect and we should never ask them to do something that would go against God’s instruction to us. God doesn’t play favorites.
Isaiah tells us this: “ If you are willing and obey, you will eat the best of the land.” Isaiah 1:19 NLV
Remember, a promise made is a promise kept. And God’s promises are much better than an ice cream.