Honoring Your Parents

by Perry Hall

I have two adopted children whom we taught to honor their biological parents by praying for them. The greatest self-respect comes from my character, not theirs.

I understand the difficulty of honoring parents who are unworthy. I am also called to love my enemies, and sometimes, that might include parents who deserve no natural honor. However, my character is not based upon human worthiness but on an understanding of my own unworthiness. Yet God sent His Son to die for my sins. Honor your parents not because they naturally deserve it but rather because none of us do, and yet God chose to honor the fact that we are made in His image.

Honor can be earned. Honor can be granted. Whose image do we want to follow? An unhonorable parent or our honorable Father?