“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Colossians 3:16-17 (NKJV)
First, let me focus on the word “admonish” in this Scripture. To admonish someone is to “warn or reprimand someone firmly,” “advise or urge someone earnestly,” or “warn of something to be avoided.” This addresses thoroughly our responsibility as parents in training our children. No one likes to be corrected or to be told what to do; however, the greater need for our children is to be equipped with the knowledge that all things are not good things. Everyone of us needs correcting from time to time. Adults are no different.
Paul Chappel, Senior Pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church and President of West Coast Baptist College, writes, “In our society, we see many parents who are weak at admonishing their children. Perhaps fearful of hurting their child’s feelings or perhaps simply in oblivion or laziness, parents don’t set and hold firm guidelines in areas such as entertainment, friends, activities, dress, or even academics.” All parents must be engaged in our biblical responsibility as a parent. Admonishment is a part of biblical, healthy relationships. It is a high expression of love when we are honest with our children and let them know the dangers that lie ahead in the choices they are making.
Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, follows with (v. 18-21): Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
We have so much information coming at us daily in our contemporary times that the message of parenting and God’s standard for living gets drowned out. God’s ways are not confusing, but they are challenging. They are challenging because they go against our natural tendency. God as Creator has a Divine Design for us to conform to. He gives us Himself to teach us and discipline us to do it His way. Isaiah 55:8-9: “’My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the LORD. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’”
There is a reward for doing life God’s way. Psalm 128:3-4: “Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table. That is the LORD’s blessing for those who fear him.” Love in its highest form is expressed by protecting those we love from harm. Courage is required to correct someone lovingly.
