Everyone coming into this world has to learn that no one can do "just as I please." Some learn that lesson younger than others. However, it is to everyone's benefit if they learn to respect laws, rules and authority as young as possible. It is such a sad thing to see young people who do not honor, respect or obey their parents. Often disrespect for authority in the home is further manifest in rebellion at school, law breaking in the community, and rejection of God's laws.

I suggest that we have been so busy impressing parents with their responsibilities that we have neglected to inform and impress young people with their responsibility.

Responsibilities for young people are seen in the following verses:

Ephesians 6.-1-2: "Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother. . . ."

Proverbs 23:22: "Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old."

Proverbs 19.-26.- "He who assaults his father and drives his mother away is a shameful and disgraceful son."

Proverbs 15.20.- "A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother."

Proverbs 15:15: "A fool despiseth his father's instruction . . . ."

Exodus 21:15: "And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death."

Matthew 15:4: ". . . he that curseth father or mother, let him die the death."

Colossians 3:20.- "Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord."

Luke 2:51-52: Here we have the example of Jesus: "And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them" (His parents, REH).

Then in Romans 1:30 and 2 Timothy 3:2, those who are "disobedient to parents" arc listed among such terrible sinners as blasphemers, traitors, murderers and haters of God.

Truly, it is the will of God that everyone (young and old, alike) respect authority and submit to it. We are all under law and we will all have to face the consequences of disobedience, whether it be disobedience of the home, the laws of government or the laws of God.

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 16, p. 504
August 18, 1983