FROM THE PULPIT: COMMANDMENT FITS WITH SUMMER HOLIDAYS

May, June, July. Mother's Day, Father's Day, Independence Day. The Fourth Commandment.

What does the Fourth Commandment have to do with this progression of holidays? Look at what it says: "Honor your father and mother so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." (Exodus 20:12) Now look again at the list of holidays. Although mothers and fathers are in reverse order from the commandment, the progression remains, "honor your parents, you will prosper in your land."

Respect and love are learned in the home. It is said, "The best thing Mom and Dad can do for the children is to show love for one another." The family is almost universally recognized as the foundation of society. As the family goes, so goes the nation.

How are things in your family? Parents, are you raising your children in the fear and admonition of the Lord? (Ephesians 6:4, Proverbs 9:10) Children, are you honoring (obeying, respecting, cherishing) your parents? Paul reminds us that this "is the first commandment with a promise. (Ephesians 6:1-3) If you are, then you are blessed, and are a blessing and example to others.

I believe this is also true in another dimension, spiritually. God is our Father, the Church is in many ways our spiritual mother (Mark 3:31-35, Revelation 12:1-6), we are born again through the Word of God. (1 Peter 1:23) If we "honor our parents," that is, worship God alone, according to His Word, in the fellowship of His Church, we are doubly blessed. Is this not keeping our Lord's Great Commandment? "Love the Lord your God with all your soul, with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength, and love your neighbor as you love yourself." (Mark 12:30-31)

The promise is not meant only for each of us individually, but also for all of us together. After all, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." (Psalm 33:12)

As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, and even after, let us keep in mind the source of our strength, God. Let us keep our nation strong, both by our love and obedience to God, and by loving and honoring one another, beginning in our homes.

-- Many Christian groups name this as the Fifth Commandment. Lutherans, Catholics, and some others classify Exodus 20:4-6 with the First Commandment, while others use these verses as their Second Commandment. For these, the 10th Commandment is "Thou shalt not covet," while for the Lutheran-Catholic tradition, Exodus 20:17 is split into two commandments.

Reverend John Kiehl