Read: Colossians 3:18-4:18
In Colossians, we see how a family should look. If a husband loves his wife and treats her lovingly, a wife should have no problem respecting and honoring her husband. Likewise, if a father is fair with his children, the children should obey him. But what if the husband isn't loving or fair? What if the wife could win the lead in Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew?” After all, no family is perfect.
God's commands in Colossians aren't conditional. He doesn't tell husbands to love their wives as long as they are agreeable. God doesn't instruct children to obey their parents only when the child agrees with their parents' decision. That may be a hard thing for some of us to accept. It’s difficult to be nice or obey someone who isn't treating you how you want to be treated.
But God does give us some solace in Colossians 3:23-24. When we follow God’s commands, we are serving Him. When we obey our parents, regardless of the situation, we are pleasing Him. Loving our spouses, even during difficult times, is serving our heavenly Father. And God promises our actions won’t go unnoticed. Those who obey will receive an inheritance from the Lord.