-
199) Eph 6:4 . . Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring
them up in the training and instruction of The Lord.
We're not talking about religious training here-- the focus is upon a daddy's
parenting style. Despotism, tyranny, and unfairness are not The Lord's way
of raising kids; but rather; his way is the manner of a shepherd; and "good"
shepherds aren't cruel to their flocks.
Maybe you don't burn your kids with cigarettes, pour Tabasco sauce in their
eyes, or lock them in a hall closet without food and water for two days; but
do you ignore their opinions, demean them with denigrating labels, ridicule
them, threaten their lives, work them as slaves without compensation, deny
them things just so you won't appear to indulge them, and/or say "no" to
their requests for no good reason than that you don't want to seem weak
and under their control?
Do you routinely abuse their human rights, and/or relegate them to the level
of livestock rather than bona fide human beings with feelings and a mind of
their own? Do you nurture within them a feeling of importance, of belonging
in your home, or do you make them feel like an invasive species and/or an
uninvited guest? Kids pick up on things like that.
But aren't there moms out there exasperating their kids? Of course! Mothers
can be just as tyrannical, just as despotic, and just as unfair as dads.
I believe it is a Spirit-filled dad's sacred filial duty to defend his children from
their own mother's abuses should the need arise. Not many dads are willing
to do that because it means risking having the wife turn against him; so
quite a few dads opt to sacrifice the children in order to keep momma
happy.
In my opinion, throwing one's own children to the wolves in order to avoid
living in the same house with a moody woman has to be one of the worst
possible sins a man can ever commit in his own home. It's just downright
cowardly; and tells the kids they can't trust the one man in the whole world
upon whom they should be able to rely in times of distress.
FYI: The Bible predicts that towards the end, parents will become callous
with their babies.
● 2Tim 3:1-3 . . This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall
come. For people shall be . . .without natural affection
The koiné Greek word for "without natural affection" is astorgos (as'-tor-gos)
which means: hard-hearted towards kindred; viz: lacking in sympathetic
understanding i.e. unfeeling, pitiless, thoughtless, insensitive, cruel, and
inhumane.
200) Eph 6:5-6 . . Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear,
and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not
only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ,
doing the will of God from your heart.
The koiné Greek word for "slaves" is doulos (doo'-los) which is an ambiguous
word that can mean slaves by voluntary or involuntary means. The first
would be something like an indentured slave; which Webster's defines as : a
contract binding one person to work for another for a given period of time.
Jacob is a good biblical example of indentured slavery. He sold fourteen
years of his life to uncle Laban in exchange for Rachel's hand in marriage.
(Gen 29:18, Gen 29:27)
The practical application applies to giving one's employer an honest day's
work for an honest day's pay. But pay is not really the primary issue.
Subordination is the primary issue, and has been in this epistle since 5:21.
Believers may not like the idea, but they are not independent agents with
Christ; no, he owns you: bought and paid for as flesh on the line.
● 1Cor 6:19-20 . .You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your body.
So then, a Spirit-filled employee will serve workplace employers with a
conscientious regard for their indentured-slavery status with Christ; which is
really difficult for American believers because their country has such an
abhorrence for slavery and such a high regard for freedom, revolution, and
independence. But though believers are slaves to Christ, they are not slaves
to a slave driver. Note the gentle demeanor of the request below.
● Matt 11:28-30 . . Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and
I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am
gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke
is easy and my burden is light.
● Rom 12:1-2 . . I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that you present your bodies a living sacrifice-- holy, acceptable to God -
which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but
be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is
that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
I once worked with two Christian men in a welding shop who demanded a
sit-down with the superintendent to air some grievances. I took it upon
myself to remind them that Peter directed Christians to endure what they
thought of as unfair treatment from employers (1Pet 2:18-25). Well, they
ignored both me and Peter because they felt insulted to be treated like
children by management and wouldn't rest until they told them so.
What you have there is a case of rabid male pride overruling The Lord's
wishes. Not good. Peter was given the keys of the kingdom (Matt 16:19). If
Christians believe that to be true, then for them, scorning Peter is all the
same as their scorning Christ-- it's a domino effect all the way to the top.
● Luke 10:16 . .Whoever listens to you; listens to me. Whoever rejects you;
rejects me. And whoever rejects me; rejects the one who sent me.
/
199) Eph 6:4 . . Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring
them up in the training and instruction of The Lord.
We're not talking about religious training here-- the focus is upon a daddy's
parenting style. Despotism, tyranny, and unfairness are not The Lord's way
of raising kids; but rather; his way is the manner of a shepherd; and "good"
shepherds aren't cruel to their flocks.
Maybe you don't burn your kids with cigarettes, pour Tabasco sauce in their
eyes, or lock them in a hall closet without food and water for two days; but
do you ignore their opinions, demean them with denigrating labels, ridicule
them, threaten their lives, work them as slaves without compensation, deny
them things just so you won't appear to indulge them, and/or say "no" to
their requests for no good reason than that you don't want to seem weak
and under their control?
Do you routinely abuse their human rights, and/or relegate them to the level
of livestock rather than bona fide human beings with feelings and a mind of
their own? Do you nurture within them a feeling of importance, of belonging
in your home, or do you make them feel like an invasive species and/or an
uninvited guest? Kids pick up on things like that.
But aren't there moms out there exasperating their kids? Of course! Mothers
can be just as tyrannical, just as despotic, and just as unfair as dads.
I believe it is a Spirit-filled dad's sacred filial duty to defend his children from
their own mother's abuses should the need arise. Not many dads are willing
to do that because it means risking having the wife turn against him; so
quite a few dads opt to sacrifice the children in order to keep momma
happy.
In my opinion, throwing one's own children to the wolves in order to avoid
living in the same house with a moody woman has to be one of the worst
possible sins a man can ever commit in his own home. It's just downright
cowardly; and tells the kids they can't trust the one man in the whole world
upon whom they should be able to rely in times of distress.
FYI: The Bible predicts that towards the end, parents will become callous
with their babies.
● 2Tim 3:1-3 . . This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall
come. For people shall be . . .without natural affection
The koiné Greek word for "without natural affection" is astorgos (as'-tor-gos)
which means: hard-hearted towards kindred; viz: lacking in sympathetic
understanding i.e. unfeeling, pitiless, thoughtless, insensitive, cruel, and
inhumane.
200) Eph 6:5-6 . . Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear,
and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not
only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ,
doing the will of God from your heart.
The koiné Greek word for "slaves" is doulos (doo'-los) which is an ambiguous
word that can mean slaves by voluntary or involuntary means. The first
would be something like an indentured slave; which Webster's defines as : a
contract binding one person to work for another for a given period of time.
Jacob is a good biblical example of indentured slavery. He sold fourteen
years of his life to uncle Laban in exchange for Rachel's hand in marriage.
(Gen 29:18, Gen 29:27)
The practical application applies to giving one's employer an honest day's
work for an honest day's pay. But pay is not really the primary issue.
Subordination is the primary issue, and has been in this epistle since 5:21.
Believers may not like the idea, but they are not independent agents with
Christ; no, he owns you: bought and paid for as flesh on the line.
● 1Cor 6:19-20 . .You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your body.
So then, a Spirit-filled employee will serve workplace employers with a
conscientious regard for their indentured-slavery status with Christ; which is
really difficult for American believers because their country has such an
abhorrence for slavery and such a high regard for freedom, revolution, and
independence. But though believers are slaves to Christ, they are not slaves
to a slave driver. Note the gentle demeanor of the request below.
● Matt 11:28-30 . . Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and
I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am
gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke
is easy and my burden is light.
● Rom 12:1-2 . . I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that you present your bodies a living sacrifice-- holy, acceptable to God -
which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but
be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is
that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
I once worked with two Christian men in a welding shop who demanded a
sit-down with the superintendent to air some grievances. I took it upon
myself to remind them that Peter directed Christians to endure what they
thought of as unfair treatment from employers (1Pet 2:18-25). Well, they
ignored both me and Peter because they felt insulted to be treated like
children by management and wouldn't rest until they told them so.
What you have there is a case of rabid male pride overruling The Lord's
wishes. Not good. Peter was given the keys of the kingdom (Matt 16:19). If
Christians believe that to be true, then for them, scorning Peter is all the
same as their scorning Christ-- it's a domino effect all the way to the top.
● Luke 10:16 . .Whoever listens to you; listens to me. Whoever rejects you;
rejects me. And whoever rejects me; rejects the one who sent me.
/
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