Sins of the Fathers and resulting curses (IV) Our responsibility

One of the things I feel it is important to acknowledge right from the start, is that most parents did and do the best they could, with what they were handed down from their ancestors. There is a poem by the secular author Philip Larkin that I want to quote with some of his language softened. “They mess you up your mom and dad, they may not mean to,  but they do.  They load you down with all their sins,  and add some others just for you.” He goes on to say that they in turn were messed up by their parents. And this in fact  illustrates again for us these verses the from Exodus 20:5,6.  And the main point I want to make  this morning,  is that we are not responsible for their sins. It is before their own master  that they stand or fall (Romans 14:4). We are however responsible for our response to the way that their sins and mistakes affected us. 

It’s hard to honour your parents when you are angry with them. But to come back to the commandment with promise (Exodus 20:12),  if we want it to go well with us,  and our days to be long, then we need to find a way to do it.  Perhaps you don’t feel they are worthy of honour. But are you and I worthy of salvation and the dignity and respect that God  affords us? We honour them because they are our parents, not for what they do, have done or  have not done. We choose to honour them because He tells us to. We do it for Him.  The seriousness  with which God regards this can, to some extent, be measured by the severity of the prescribed punishment under Old Testament Law. So listen to this “Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death” (Leviticus 20:9).

If this should seem harsh, and you feel like judging God, remember that God’s rules are there for out provision and protection. And consider too that He might just want to get your attention. The Exodus  passage tells us that if these things are not dealt with, they  will go down to the third and fourth generation (verse 5). In particular,  in line with “we reap what we sow” (Galatians 6:7), if you curse your father or mother, your children,  grandchildren and great grandchildren are likely to curse you too. Furthermore, as I have already indicated,  you are also likely to take this unresolved conflict into your marriage. Does all this seem difficult? Well it is, and it is one of the reasons why I keep pointing to the help that Christ centred twelve-step-programs  afford and which are useful for much more than addictions. It starts with admitting we need help!

Father, Paul could say  “When I am weak then I am strong” (1 Corinthians 12:10),  because when he came to the end of Himself and cast himself on You, then he received You Grace,  and Your strength in him became perfect in his weakness (verse 9).  Lord,  we can either become bitter and defile ourselves and those we love, or with Your help, we can receive Your grace to help in our need (Hebrews 12:15;4:6). And yes Lord we even need help to receive Your grace. My responsibility is to fully surrender,  and come to You for this and everything else. Truly Lord without You we can do nothing (John 15:5).  In Jesus Name Amen