“Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord” (Colossians 3:20).
The word “obey” is a phrase that often generates a great sense of internal resistance. Yet there are several instances where God ordains a commitment to obedience in our relationships with others. Colossians 3:20 offers one such example.
When used in this context, this reference to “children” serves to identify a son or daughter who has progressed beyond the infant/toddler stage but has not yet reached adulthood. While this word carries a broad application, it might be best to think of this idea in terms of a youth who is transitioning to adult responsibilities but has not yet gained the experience necessary to consistently make good decisions.
When it comes to a child’s responsibility in this area, we should note that this commitment extends to both mothers and fathers: “Children, obey your parents…” The Biblical epistle of Ephesians offers a similar exhortation…
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth'” (Ephesians 6:1-3).
There are several important factors to consider in looking at these instructions. First, “Children, obey your parents…” represents a command from God through the pages of His Word. When a child obeys his or her parents, he or she is obeying God as well, Next, there is a personal incentive that accompanies this call to honor and obedience: “…so that all may go well with you…” (GNT). Finally, a child who is obedient to his or her parents is someone who follows Jesus’ own youthful example: “So Jesus went back with (Joseph and Mary) to Nazareth, where he was obedient to them” (Luke 2:51 GNT).
Of course, we might question the all-encompassing nature of this directive with the following question: “What if a parent asks a child to do something illegal, immoral, or unethical- is the child still obligated to obey?” Well, the answer to that question is clearly “no” when we consider this message in relation to other New Testament teachings.
Remember that Ephesians 6:1 instructs children to “…obey your parents in the Lord…” In addition, the New Testament book of Acts tells us that “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). In this context, the word “everything” assumes that parents are offering God-honoring direction for their children. A parent who demands obedience in an area that is contrary to Biblical teaching would justify an exception to this rule.