Friday, January 26, 2007

What is a Mother Part 3

After reading this article, I feel like I have a lot of work to do in my spiritual life and in my life as a wife and mother. I am a true work in progress. The Lord is not finished with me yet, I have so much to do and learn.

What is a Mother? part #3 by Sue C.
Characteristics of a godly mother continued:
In the article, "What is a Mother? part #2", eight characteristics of a godly mother, were described. This article will discuss several more characteristics of a godly mother as seen in the word of God. I began numbering with 9 to pick up where I left off in the last article.
9. An honorable woman fears the Lord. In Proverbs 22:4, God says, "By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life."
10. An honorable woman is virtuous and strong. Proverbs 31:25 says of a virtuous woman, "Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come." As a godly mother remains true to the Lord and lives in a way honoring to her Savior, she will be strong, and she will reap a joyful harvest.
11. An honorable woman does not act foolishly. Ecclesiastes 10:1 says, "Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour." Therefore, an honorable and godly mother is not foolish, but wise.
12. An honorable woman does good deeds. When she sows these good deeds, she reaps not only honor but glory and peace as well. God assures her of this in His word, "But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile." (Romans 2:10) A life full of God's blessings is the reward of a godly mother.
13. An honorable woman is preferred. Romans 12:10 says, "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another." As a godly mother manifests kindness and brotherly love in her home and among others, her family will respond by showing her affection and love. She will have friends because she will have shown herself friendly. (See Proverbs 18:24)
14. An honorable woman keeps herself pure. By example, an older, godly mother teaches the young women "To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." (Titus 2:5) A godly, honorable woman is sanctified and set apart for God and for her husband. Her life is laid out before God to be used of Him, and she is always ready to serve Him and is prepared with good deeds.
15. An honorable woman has compassion on the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:20 says, "She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy." The children of a godly mother learn compassion because they see it demonstrated in their mother's life. As a godly mother shows compassion and love, she reaps trust. Those that are poor and in need trust her, and her husband and children trust her too.
16. An honorable woman receives correction willingly. God's word says, "Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured." (Proverbs 13:18) Even a godly mother can make mistakes, but she is willing to admit them. When she receives correction and takes heed to it, she is honored because she has shown that she is humble and meek in the sight of God. A meek and quiet spirit are some of God's riches which deck an honorable daughter of the King of kings. The Bible says that a meek and quiet spirit is an ornament of great price in God's eyes. (See I Peter 3:4)
17. An honorable woman has precious faith in the face of trials, love for Christ, joy unspeakable and full of glory, and assurance of salvation. "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." (I Peter 1:7-9)
The honorable woman, the godly mother, has all she needs. There is not one thing that she lacks. God has given her all.
There is one more part to the study of "What is a Mother?" Part #4 will review the responsibilites and characteristics of a godly mother and will provide Biblical examples of women who manifested these responsibilities and characteristics in their lives.
(All Scripture verses quoted from KJV)
by Sue C.
About the Author
I was born to missionary parents in the country of Papua New Guinea. Because my parents faithfully taught me God's word, I accepted Jesus as Saviour at an early age. The Lord gave me a godly mother, and her life helped me to see the things described in this article. May this article encourage you.

1 comment:

Keziah said...

I have really enjoyed these articles which are so relevant to any Christian women, whether they are mothers or not. Thanks for sharing them.