Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.

Ephesians 6:1-3

If obedience is at the heart of honoring your parents, attitude is often as important as our obedience. In the same way, all of us have faced the challenge of being obedient to our parents, but notice that Paul extends the concept beyond your Mom and Dad as he challenges children to be obedient “in the Lord” and then reinforces the command by saying this is the right thing to do.

It is right to honor our father and mother, because obedience to our parents honors God. Even today in my early 60’s when both are deceased, I can still honor my Mom and Dad by following the Godly principles they taught me by both what they said and how they lived their lives.

What’s in it for me?

Paul quotes Exodus 20:12 with the promised blessing for those who honor their parents, “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Most parents have the best of intentions for their children, especially those who raise their children to be Christians, wanting to see them live a full life.

I think that is at the heart of these verses describing family life for those who follow Christ.