WHOSE AUTHORITY SHOULD YOU RECOGNIZE?

Conclusion of AUTHORITY IN THE FAMILY 

A Christian wife's subjection to her husband is relative.  This means that God rather than man must be obeyed if submitting in a certain matter would result in violating divine law.  Even then, a wife's firm stand should be tempered with a "quiet and mild spirit."  It should be evident that the knowledge of God has made her a better wife.  (1 Peter 3:1-4)  The same would be true of a Christian man whose wife is an unbeliever.  His compliance with Bible principles should make him a better husband.

Ephesians 6:1 outlines the role of children, stating: "Be obedient to your parents in union with the Lord, for this is righteous."  Christian children follow the example of Jesus,  (non-Christian children should obey their parents, as the parents are the head over them) who remained subject to his parents as he grew up.  As an obedient boy, he "went on progressing in wisdom and in physical growth and in favor with God and men." -Luke 2:51, 52.  

The way parents handle their responsibilities may have a bearing on whether their children will respect authority or will rebel against it.  (Proverbs 22:6)  So parents might well ask themselves, 'Do I exercise my authority  lovingly or harshly?  Am I permissive?  A godly parent is expected to be loving and considerate, yet firm in adhering to godly principles. Appropriately, Paul wrote:  "Fathers, do not be irritating your children [literally, 'provoking them to wrath'], but go one bringing them up in the discipline and mental-regulating of Jehovah." -Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21. 

Parents should scrutinize their training methods, especially if they desire that their children be obedient and thus bring them joy.  (Proverbs 23:24, 25) In the Bible, discipline is primarily a form of instruction.  (Proverbs 4:1; 8:33) It is linked with love and mildness, not with anger and brutality. Hence, Christian parents need to act with wisdom and keep themselves under restraint when disciplining their children. -Proverbs 1:7. 

Next time: WHOSE AUTHORITY SHOULD YOU RECOGNIZE?/AUTHORITY IN THE CONGREGATION

From the book: KNOWLEDGE That Leads to Everlasting Life