Welcome, wishing you some happiness this day! Let's continue with the fifth of the Ten Commandments, to honor parents. Then let's review thoughts from 1John 3.

Now let's consider God's next words to Israel, the fifth commandment, at Exodus 20:12.

Notice this honoring of one's parents was associated with long life, clearly having God's favor, approval, and blessing. Notice Paul's words in Ephesians 6:1-4, encouraging youths in this regard, while cautioning parents against disheartening them. Also notice how Paul refers to this one of the Ten Commandments--does it sound as though he is speaking of a command that is no longer in force?

"Children, be obedient to your parents in union with the Lord, for this is righteous. 2 “Honor your father and your mother” is the first command with a promise: 3 “That it may go well with you and you may remain a long time on the earth.”4 And fathers, do not be irritating your children, but go on bringing them up in the discipline and admonition of Jehovah."

HEAVENLY PARENTS. Of course, Jehovah God is our "heavenly Father," and is it not right and reasonable to honor Him as well? Certainly we may do so by speaking well of Him to others, and respecting His loving advice and correction whoever we may be and however long we have known Him. How much greater God's wisdom, knowledge, and insight than our own! Isaiah 55:9 reminded wayward Israel: "“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So my ways are higher than your ways And my thoughts than your thoughts." Yet, Psalm 138:6 says: "Though Jehovah is high, he takes note of the humble, But the haughty he knows only from a distance." May we remain humble before our loving God and Father, as a favorite verse of many underscores: "He has told you, O man, what is good. And what is Jehovah requiring of you? Only to exercise justice, to cherish loyalty, And to walk in modesty with your God!" (Micah 6:8). May we always aim to be submissive to God's clear direction in harmony with His word, delighting in loving and praising Him for His abundant goodness manifest in various ways! The Scriptures also speak of God's collective angelic hosts as a "woman," or God's wife. (Genes 3:15; Revel 12:1-2). These have been looking after the everlasting interests of mankind in harmony with God's will: "Are they not all spirits for holy service, sent out to minister for those who are going to inherit salvation?" (Hebre 1:14). From among them came God's Son, Jesus, and who together, with his anointed bride, likewise assists mankind to eternal life. (1Cori 11:3; 15:45; Revel 21:2; 22:17)

The Proverbs of Solomon open with these words: "A wise son makes his father rejoice, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother." (Prove 10:1). May children thus appreciate the love shown by their parents, and seek to honor them throughout their lives.

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1John 3:4-8 highlights the value of seeking God's righteousness. It reads: "Everyone who practices sin is also practicing lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 You know, too, that he was made manifest to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. 6 Everyone remaining in union with him does not practice sin; no one who practices sin has either seen him or come to know him. 7 Little children, let no one mislead you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as that one is righteous. 8 The one who practices sin originates with the Devil, because the Devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was made manifest, to break up the works of the Devil."

Some misconstrue other verses to claim that no one can be righteous before God, but 1John 3:7, among many verses, clearly shows "the one who practices righteousness is righteous." We are to keep "seeking first God's kingdom and His righteousness" that God may provide the necessities of life for us. (Matt 6:33). We are told that "unrighteous people will not inherit God's kingdom." (1Cori 6:9-11). Thus it is by a living faith that we gain salvation, one that draws closer to God over time as we refine our conduct in harmony with our Bible-trained conscience, being considered righteous in God's eyes as He mercifully applies the value of Christ's ransom sacrifice in our behalf to make up where we lack, as we are seeking the will of God whole-heartedly. (Matth 7:21-23).

1John 3:9-12 evidently continues with reference to anointed ones with the God-given hope of ruling with Christ, yet all can benefit from John's loving counsel. Such ones have a new birth, being born from God as genuine children, and as such "cannot practice sin." Yet all who aspire to be children of God, even with hopes of Paradise, must learn also to "hate what is bad" and "become obedient from the heart" to Christian teachings. (Psalm 97:10; Romans 6:17). We need to be aiming for the target of God's righteousness, or adherence to His way, keeping integrity to Him. This manifests genuine faith, or deep trust, in God, and true love for Him. Then the ransom of Christ is there to cover our occasional unintended "misses." Thus we would not "accept the undeserved kindness of God and miss its purpose," by using our Christian "freedom...as a cover for doing wrong." (2Cori 6:1; 1Peter 2:16). Also, It is only those seeking genuine peace with others that can truly progress in doing right. James 3:18 says: "Moreover, the fruit of righteousness is sown in peaceful conditions for those who are making peace." Thus, we would love, not God only, but our fellowman, and especially Christian brothers.

Thus, we may understand John's words, as follows: "Everyone who has been born from God does not practice sin, for His seed remains in such one, and he cannot practice sin, for he has been born from God. 10 The children of God and the children of the Devil are evident by this fact: Whoever does not practice righteousness does not originate with God, nor does the one who does not love his brother. 11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; 12 not like Cain, who originated with the wicked one and slaughtered his brother. And for what reason did he slaughter him? Because his own works were wicked, but those of his brother were righteous." May those whose 'works are wicked' repent of such badness before God's judgment, along with those not yet knowing God, deepening their appreciation for God's love and mercy and seeking peace with fellow humans--letting God be the judge of their hearts, rather than condemning themselves. (Isaiah 55:6-7; 1John 3:20). As Acts 3:19 exhorts: "Repent, therefore, and turn around so as to get your sins blotted out, so that seasons of refreshing may come from Jehovah himself." May others continue loving God and fellow humans, seeking true peace and righteousness by adherence to God's loving commandments for the human family! (1John 5:3).