May 29, 2020
FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
FIFTH COMMANDMENT: FIRST COMMANDMENT WITH A PROMISE.
“Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Exp.20: 12, KJV.
“Parents are entailed to a degree of love and respect which is due to no other person. God Himself, who has placed upon them [parents] for the souls [their children] committed to their charge, has ordained that during the EARLIER years of life, parents should STAND IN THE PLACE OF GOD to their children.
“And he [any of the children] who rejects the rightful authority of his parents, is REJECTING THE AUTHORITY OF GOD.”
“The fifth commandment requires children not only to yield respect, submission, and respect to their parents, but also to give them love and tenderness, to LIGHTEN their cares, to GUARD their reputation, and to SUCCOR and COMFORT them in their old age.”
“It also enjoins respect for ministers and rulers, and for all others to whom God has delegated authority.” E. G. White, Patriarchs & Prophets, p. 308.
“There are many children who profess to know the truth, who do not render to their parents the honor and affection that are due to them, who manifest but little love to father and mother, and fail to honor them in deferring to their wishes, or in seeking to RELIEVE them of ANXIETY.”
“Many who profess to be Christians do not know what it means ‘to honor thy father mother’ and consequently will KNOW JUST AS LITTLE what it means, ‘that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.’
“The Heart-Searcher knows what is your attitude toward your parents; for He is weighing moral character in the golden scales of the heavenly sanctuary. O confess your neglect of your parents, confess your indifference toward them, and your contempt of God’s holy commandment.” Ibid, Youth’s Instructor. June 23, 1883.
If your parents are already deceased, and you are convicted by this commandment, humbly ask God to forgive you so that “your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19.
Let’s prepare our hearts, minds and bodies for the sacred Sabbath day that starts at sunset tonite. NMF