Why parents are to be extensions of Christ

Many parents think of themselves as extensions of God, demanding things of their children. They punish their children and take controlling attitudes towards them. The fact of the matter is that parents are extensions of Christ.

It says in Colossian 3:20-21 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

The Greek root word translated "children" is τεκνον (Latin: teknon) and refers to dependence in parents just as mature believers are dependent in Christ. The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to rest and security in the grace and mercy of parents, just like mature believers rest in the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. It is freedom to demand things from parents, knowing they are not under any Law, but under the grace of their father and their mother, leading to children honoring their parents on their own as they get older, approaching adulthood. This was expressed in ancient Judeo-Christian circles as attachment parenting, meaning parents were safe people to confide in, just as Christ is safe to confide in. Children act to please their parents who don't punish them, just as Christ is the aspect of God that we all want to please as Christians by way of good works. Children naturally want to please parents, usually by following their example, so impart a good Christ-like example for children, and children will meet you halfway, but the burden of proof is on you as an adult. Parents are to be confidants for their children, just as adult believers have the right to confide in Christ when in peril. A child should be able to tell parents anything, and not fear punishment or reprisal, even aspects of themselves that most people would not understand.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and literally translates to "stirring up" upset and resentment and children, meaning the Jewish idiom of "stirring the pot" regarding your child's emotional welfare. Vs. 21 is a direct commandment from God through the Apostle Paul uplifting the Law, showing the Colossian church, namely Greco-Roman Christians in Colossae, that punishing or controlling a child in any way is kidnapping. Paul's full warning included attachment parenting manuals that instructed parents in the expected attachment parenting in Christian churches, which was based on the Living Example of Christ, meaning the sacrificial and martyrdom elements of Christ's example, where children rest in the security and love of parents, in the Lord (Eph. 6:1). A provocation to anger, as mentioned in vs. 21, is the slightest of personal offense perceived by a child. A child has the right to self-defense. Think a young girl with a stophand extended towards you, striking reverent terror into you as the adult, reminding you of your lowly and convicted place in relation to children as adults, for merely belonging to a group of people who have abused children since time immemorial. When that child puts out that stophand, even through tears, heed her lawful orders and give her what she needs/wants. Fear your child, as part of Christian love is fear for who you love and for their best interests.

Parents are giving extensions of Christ in the home, meaning they are to be charitable in a selfless way, like a vending machine. Parents are to take up the cross for their children, and tear themselves down for their children, turning themselves into their children, in the spirit that Christ turned himself in for a crime He didn't commit. Parents sacrifice as well, and when they do, all children have to do is rest securely in the selfless sacrifice of parents, in the spirit that mature believers rest in the security of Jesus Christ. Children rest in the sacrifice and selflessness of parents just like their parents rest in the sacrifice and selflessness of Jesus Christ.

The depraved and entitled parents will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them burn in the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death, which is Satan's final resting place! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!