what kind of love?

Something I want to explore..

Filial Piety: Filial Behaviour--
(note to note..)

5 sinful unfilial behaviour:

1. to not support our parents because of our laziness
2. to not care about our parents by committing our selfish bad habits of gambling or drinking, and likewise
3. to not love our parents because of our greed
4. to bring shame to our parents, to bring shame to their name because desire and chasing after our dreams consumed us
5. to endanger our parents safety because of our quarrelsome character which inflicts danger upon our life too

So how must one show filial behaviour?


I. Obey our parents
Practice obedience to our parents because this is according to the truth of the word of God (Ephesians 6:1-3); this is the commandment of our Father in heaven (Proverb 6:20-23). Listen to their instructions, listen to our father’s commands, listen to the law of our mother, and bind their words upon our hearts; tie them around our necks.As long as we live, bring joy and gladness to our parents (Proverbs 23:24,25). And our Father in heaven will bless us.

II. Wisdom in a child brings delight
Grandparents receive joy in seeing their children and grandchildren (Genesis 48:1, 11), just as Israel was truly joyous for he had the chance to see his offspring and his offspring. The elderly are never burdens but, rather value their wisdom in their advanced years that they we may learn of their wisdom. They shall bless us and our children because we value their wisdom, because we honoured them.

III. Provide for our parents
Even if we give offerings to the Lord, still, honour our parents in the same manner and provide for them. Ruth was determined to follow her mother-in-law everywhere, anywhere which touched Naomi although Naomi also considered her daughter-in-law’s future (Ruth 1:16-17). She always reported to her mother-in-law and supported both of them, diligently providing for their necessities (Ruth 2:2). Be sure to report to our parents for it is our duty to not let them worry over us, that yet we may still provide them security, necessities and ourselves, to be self-sustaining and independent.

Jesus fulfilled his providence to His mother even unto the point of death. He found in His responsibility, His duty, a filial act to ask John to take care of his mother when He leaves (John 19:26-27).

IV. Accept discipline from our parents as children
Love compels our parents to discipline us to fulfil their duty as parents (Hebrews 12:8), and each time they must chastise us they are just as in much pain as we are (Hebrew 6:11).

V. Do not despise our parents
Never esteem yourself higher than our parents for if you do not know this, we are somewhat immature. Know how to repay our parents’ love, know how to treat them, respect them and understand them. Do not blame them, rebuke them or scold them. But think of their safety, respect their ideas, be open to their views, provide their needs, also think of their convenience. If we do not practice this respect, but rather despise or mock our father or mother, we shall be punished.

VI. Do not curse our parents
If we curse our mother or father, we shall surely die (Proverbs 20:20). Remember the fifth commandment, do not break it or punishment awaits us (Leviticus 20:9). Do not wait until they pass away to be filial for we must seize the opportunity to honour them while it means something in this time that we pass by the world.

VII. Do not persecute our parents
Never mistreat our father or chase away our mother for such child brings shame and reproach (Proverbs 19:26).

VIII. The greatest filial act is to give them salvation

And if ever our parent does not fulfil their responsibilities in this life, repay them with good, love them as our Father in heaven first loved us. Pray that our Father will turn their hearts, that maybe they might be moved by our sincere love for them, and that maybe they might see our Father and hear His calling to them. Even as Jesus loved all sinners we ought to imitate His love, for this is just one part of love.