Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Homework by Dan Burton

I just wanted to share the basic synopsis of our message at The Gathering the other night. So, these isn’t necessarily my own original thoughts, but my reaction to the sermon. I really thought it was a good one!

This verse is a description of how to treat your family. IT IS NOT a description of how the people in your family are to treat you.

Colossians 3:18-21
“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”

That part really struck with me. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard this verse. It actually seems a little bit scary for wives to submit to their husbands and children to obey their parents. Often times, people (including myself) thought that it was OK to use these verses against one another. Parents might say, ‘Well, you aren’t honoring and obeying your mother and father.’ And go on with the guilt trip from there. Husbands can do the same thing, justifying their actions and assuming that no matter what, the wives must submit to them. This is not Christ-like. And even though I recently learned that it’s really impossible to be Christ-like (we are going to sin no matter what, we are human-beings), these verses are not meant to be used against one another.

These verses aren’t about entitlement to a certain treatment, but instructions for our own lives. As Pastor Dan said, the only thing we can control is ourselves. We can’t control our children, wives, husbands, parents. I can only control myself. I need to do a better job of how I view situations and choose NOT to focus on the problems others are causing, but focus on how I am the problem.

In my quest for love, the common verses of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 mean more. When I really take in what these verses signify and read them slowly, I start to understand the type of love that God has for us and the type of love that we should try to give toward others, especially our families.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keep no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes always perseveres.”

Why is it so hard to remember this and portray this type of love in our everyday lives???

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