It is often insisted upon that in these modern days of liberty and equality no woman could keep her self respect and live in a home and not be counted equal with her husband in authority. But the same woman who objects to being under the authority of her husband attends clubs of which she is not president. She works in a church of which she is not the pastor. She is a citizen of a government where others rule over her. Even the policeman on the corner can command her to stop or go, turn left or right, or may hail her to court where she is as helpless as a child before the law. Men, too, cannot avoid authority over them. Other members of the club, the church, the citizens are often as good, or as wise, or as well pleasing as the president of the club, the pastor of the church, or the judge of the court. Men who work for salaries or wages, and women too, must take orders from those in authority. And sensible people can be happy in doing so. - John R. Rice [The Home, pg. 108]
When a husband's love for his wife is based upon her youth, her charm, her beauty, these, alas, all too soon fade away, and such frivolous love cannot resist the effect of time, temper, poverty and age. But the woman who is adorned with that beauty of the heart, which does not fail with age, "even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price," attracts amd makes sure of her husband's unfailing love. A husband cannot but give such a wife, not only the thrill of young love, and the passion of maturity, but the steadfastness of real respect and admiration through the years. Men and women who take the places God assigned them may expect that reward of virtue, that blessing of God, a love which does not wither when hair turns white or when bodily passions pass away! But the rebellious wife and the slacker husband give wings to love and speed it away. - John R. Rice [The Home, pg. 111-112]
"Honour thy father and thy mother" comes before "Thou shalt not kill." It comes before "Thou shalt not commit adultery." This is the very first of the commands about human relationships. After one is right with God and pleases God, the next most important thing in all the world is to be right with one's own father and mother. - John R. Rice [The Home, pg. 217-218]
It is notable that one of the Ten Commandments, that regarding the Sabbath, is not repeated in the New Testament. In fact, Colossians 2:14-17 plainly lists the Sabbath along with other ceremonial laws which were nailed to the cross of Christ. They were "the shadow of things to come." The ceremonial law is not binding on New Testament Christians, and the Sabbath sums up, in some sense, the ceremonial law. - John R. Rice [The Home, pg. 218]
"Honour thy father and thy mother." In the magnificent Epistle to the Ephesians (Eph. 6:1-3) this command is quoted and re-enforced. It is as much a New Testament command as an Old Testament command. Throughout the New Testament it is clearly taken for granted that the morality involved in this fifth commandment is binding on Christians. - John R. Rice [The Home, pg. 218]
From long experience in dealing with troubled human hearts, with sinful human lives and entangled human relationships, I can say that the man who reveres his father and his mother is much more likely to have a normal attitude toward matters of sex and marriage. The man who reveres his mother will be more likely to revere his sister. One who reveres his mother and sister will certainly be more likely to revere other women. The godly influence of a mother who has been greatly honored and strictly obeyed by her son has been illustrated many, many times within my own experience. - John R. Rice [The Home, pg. 229-230]
A praying father and mother are important. A father and mother who demand and receive respect and honor are even more important! And that is because making children obedient is more important than asking God to do what we would not do. I believe in prayer when it is backed up by obedient action. I do not believe that God pays much attention to the prayers of a father and mother who will not do what God said about making their children obedient. - John R. Rice [The Home, pg. 231-232]
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