Relationships

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ephesians 6:1-12. In this Scripture Paul talks about some of our other relationships. The first relationship he talks about is how we should honor our father and mother. This is the first, of the Ten Commandments, which had a promise attached to it. The promise is that it may be well with you, and you might live long on the earth.

Deuteronomy 5:16 says, “Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”

What do you think it means to honor your parents? Maybe to love, obey, respect and cherish them. This Scripture tells us we should obey our parents as their children because it is right. I don’t think we are only supposed to honor our parents when we are children, but all the days of our lives.

Both of my parents have already gone to be with the Lord. If you are fortunate enough to still have your parents around, make sure to show them the honor and respect they deserve. After all, if it wasn’t for them you wouldn’t be here.

Paul gives direction to fathers that they shouldn’t provoke their children to anger by their treatment. They are to bring their children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Paul talks about servants being obedient to their masters. He says they should try to please them all the time and not just when the masters are watching. They are to work as servants of Christ, pleasing the Lord. We know that God will reward us for every good thing we do whether we are bonded or free. In today’s world we might look at this as employees. When we do our jobs to the best of our ability it not only honors our bosses, it honors God.

Paul tells masters to treat their slaves in the same way. We all have the same Master in heaven. God doesn’t show favoritism, but treats everyone equally.  We can use this same example today with the employer-employee relationship.

Paul encourages us to be strong in the Lord, putting on the whole armor of God, that we will be able to stand against all the tricks of the devil. We need to stay in God’s Word and know what it says so we will be able to stand up to the enemy. In this world, we don’t fight against each other. We have to fight against rulers of darkness, powers, and evil spirits in the unseen world.

Daily Bible Reading:

Ephesians 6:1-12

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;

3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

5 Servants, be obedient to them that are [your] masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Things to think about:

• As adults, how can we still honor our parents?

• How can we honor those who have authority over us?

• What does Paul mean when he says to put on the whole armor of God?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Ephesians where Paul reminds us how we should conduct ourselves in our relationships to others. Help us to always honor our fathers and mothers no matter how old we are or how old they are. We see in this Scripture how You have set up certain lines of authority in our lives.

Help us to respect those who have authority over us. Help us to do that as if we are honoring You by our actions toward them. Help us to study Your Word so we will be strong and fully armored and able to stand against the evil of this world. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

– Ephesians 6:2-3

Featured Book:

The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus

by Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. It is a study of the book of Ephesians from the New Testament of the Bible. Ephesians is one of the Apostle Paul’s letters, which was written to the church at Ephesus.

In the book of Ephesians Paul reminds us that we are chosen of God. He encourages us to walk in unity in the church. He talks about our various relationships including our relationship with Christ, with each other, the husband-wife relationship and others. He also exhorts us to put on the full armor of God so that we are clothed for battle against the enemy.

The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus consists of twelve lessons, which can be used for an individual daily Bible study or a group Bible study. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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