“…in the last days, perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection…having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” – 2 Timothy 3:1-5
“Without natural affection” literally means “without family love.” If you claim to be a Christian but dishonor your parents, all you’ve got is a form of godliness. You don’t have the real thing. Faith begins at home. If you can live for Jesus at home, you can live for Jesus anywhere. If you can’t live for Jesus at home, it doesn’t really matter where you try to live for Jesus.
God gave Ten Commandments, but the fifth, “Honor your father and mother,” is the one with a promise: “that it may be well with thee and that thou mayest live long on the earth.” Before God tells us don’t steal, don’t kill, don’t commit adultery, He tells us to honor father and mother. In my estimation, the respect and obedience a child shows his parents is a strong indication of how the child will turn out. Dwight Moody said, “I’ve lived 60 years, and I’ve learned one thing if I’ve learned nothing else. No man or woman who dishonors father or mother ever prospers.” ( Adrian Rogers)
