Our Duty is to Christ
This week’s Sabbath School Quarterly study speaks of the various relationships that are outlined below. Often we focus on the one-side and wish justice to be done, while neglecting that we are committing the same sin from where were are at in the relationship. Let us always seek the humility of Christ (Ph 2:7)and repent for even our hidden sins, the way David did (Ps 51:6-10), and think “what have I done? what could I have done better?” first before thinking of the other person’s sins.
The only reason we should have the others’ sins in mind should be out of a concern for their salvation springing from a love and compassion for them, to want to see them meet the Saviour together (Rev 20:6) on that day when He returns. It should not be for vengeance or to feel better ourselves. As vengeance is God’s (Deut 32:25 & Rom 12:17-19). Let us do our part as the judgement is God’s part (Mic 4:3).
Relationships Described: Authority <—> Subordinate
Parents <—-> Children :
Eph 6:4. 9, Col 3:21, Mark 10:14 - Parent —————-> Child
Eph 6: 1 - Child ———————————————-> Parent
Master <—-> Slave :
Eph 6:9 - Master —————-> Slave
Eph 6:5 - Slave —————-> Master
Christ <——> Us/His people/His church/His children :
2 Cor 5:10 (Eccl 12:14)
Col 3:24
Application:
Parents <—-> Children
Parents —-> Children: Child Guidance Chapter 48—The Child’s Reaction gives detailed applicable instruction on how discipline in a Christ-centered household should be like. A parent must not have a rough, severe, or masterly spirit as this elicits the stubbornness in the children. It condemns the unconverted parent and advises “The will of the parents must be under the discipline of Christ. Molded and controlled by God's pure Holy Spirit” CG 281.3
“The father, as priest of the household, should deal gently and patiently with his children.” CG 286.4
“He must not allow transgression to go uncorrected, and yet there is a way to correct without stirring up the worst passions in the human heart.” CG 286.4
“Let him in love talk with his children, telling them how grieved the Saviour is over their course; and then let him kneel with them before the mercy seat and present them to Christ, praying that He will have compassion on them and lead them to repent and ask forgiveness. Such disciplining will nearly always break the most stubborn heart.” CG 286.4
Children —-> Parent: Commandment #5
Exodus 20:12 King James Version 12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Ephesians 6:2 King James Version 2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
The Adventist Home Chapter 59—The Aged Parents
“The obligation resting upon children to honor their parents is of lifelong duration...” AH 360.1
“Children should be educated to love and care tenderly for father and mother…” AH 360.2
“Our obligation to our parents never ceases. Our love for them, and theirs for us, is not measured by years or distance, and our responsibility can never be set aside.” AH 360.3
“…the aged parents…What can bring greater sorrow to their hearts than manifest neglect on the part of their children? What sin can be worse…?” AH 360.4
The Adventist Home Chapter 50—The Honor Due Parents
“…he who rejects the rightful authority of his parents is rejecting the authority of God.” AH 293.1
“God cannot prosper those who go directly contrary to the plainest duty specified in His word, the duty of children to their parents.... If they disrespect and dishonor their earthly parents, they will not respect and love their Creator.” AH 293.2
Employer <—-> Employee: Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2 Chapter 24—Oppressing the Hireling
(Eph 6:9) This chapter of Testimonies describes an individual who has oppressed their hired help with wages. It speaks of taking advantage of ‘circumstances’ which perhaps makes it difficult for the hired individual to say no despite knowing they are underpaid. Reading the whole chapter will be necessary to grasp a full understanding.
(Eph 6:5) Note the “hireling” spoken of in Chapter 24 is a “hard-working person who you knew was conscientious and God-fearing.” 2T:156.2. Scripture does not advocate for those who are in a hired position but are taking advantage of their position and not doing their part which is agreed upon at the time of hire. Likewise, Testimonies being in harmony with Scripture is the same.
Business Owner <—-> Customer
Business —> Customer: It seems most know how a business or corporation could oppress the consumer with manipulative marketing, cost increase for brand vs quality, and this is generally pushed widely in media. Businesses can be dishonest and provide poor quality service that can even be harmful to the health and safety of an individual.
Customer —-> Business: Many often neglect to see how the Customer or the Consumer can be sinning just as much as the Business Owner. Remember, Scripture speaks of the authority figure and the subordinate both. Customers can unreasonable haggle for lower pricing, and demand with the thread of seeking another business. It can push a business to eventual bankruptcy and ends cannot be met with the profit or the negative profit that occurs from such unreasonable demands.
Conclusion:
Regardless of what social status, what position in the household, which end we are in the various relationships we become a part of, our loyalty and obligation is with Christ. The other may sin, but we must not. The world may do what they wish, but we as a peculiar people of God, must exemplify with our lives, our actions, our words, our work ethic, our business ethic, our customer ethic, our duty as a parent, our duty as a child and more, the character of Christ. As above all, we are the children of Christ.
Ecclesiastes 12:14
King James Version
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
2 Corinthians 5:10
King James Version
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Sabbath School Teacher: Hyun Bang, Revive Ministries Founder | Health Minister CPC SDA
Ephesians 6:1-9 King James Version
6 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.
Colossians 3:21 King James Version
21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
Mark 10:13-16 King James Version
13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
2 Corinthians 5:10 King James Version
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Colossians 3:24 King James Version
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
