Willing
and Obedient
If
ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. Isa. 1:19
In requiring obedience to the laws of His
kingdom, God gives His people health and happiness, peace and joy.
To the great principle of love and
loyalty to God, the Father of all, the principle of filial love and obedience
is closely related. Contempt for parental authority will soon lead to contempt
for the authority of God.
At a very early age children can
comprehend what is plainly and simply told them, and by kind and judicious
management can be taught to obey. . . . The mother should not allow her child
to gain an advantage over her in a single instance. And in order to maintain
this authority it is not necessary to resort to harsh measures; a firm, steady
hand and a kindness which convinces the child of your love will accomplish the
purpose.
When children love and repose confidence
in their mother, and have become obedient to her, they have been taught the
first lessons in becoming Christians. They must be obedient to and love and
trust Jesus as they are obedient to and love and trust their parents.
Prompt and continual obedience to wise
parental rule will promote the happiness of the children themselves as well as
the honor of God and the good of society. Children should learn that in
submission to the laws of the household is their perfect liberty. Christians
will learn the same lesson--that in their obedience to God's law is their
perfect freedom.
* *
* * *
Children will be happier, far happier,
under proper discipline than if left to do as their untrained impulses shall
suggest.
From My Life Today - Page 169
January
