From the Lord to Us to Caleb.

There is a hierarchy of obedience in the Bible.

• God is at the top. 
• He gives commands to His children. 
• Believing parents must obey them. 
• Those same parents, in turn, give commands to their children.
• Their children, in turn, must obey them. 

All these commands are given in love and filled with grace. Both God and parents know their children will not always be obedient and must always go to the Savior for grace.

"...the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus..."
(Paul, Romans 3:22-24 ESV)

(Also, since God reigns at the top, both parents and children are responsible for obeying Him above anyone else.)

All this said, I'm quite the hypocrite.

I do not obey God, and then I become angry when He disciplines me. At the same time, I do not hesitate to expect obedience from Caleb and discipline Him when he is disobedient.

Becoming a mom has revealed so much about myself. Mostly, I've seen the great deal of sin in my heart and my own great need of a Savior. (Both of which are incredibly humbling but so, so good.)

No matter what Mormons or Muslims or moral atheists say, we can't ever be good enough. We may be squeaky clean on the outside, being good and polite and nice, but our hearts are always stained with the dirt and grime of sin.

“Woe to you...hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
(Jesus, Matthew 23:27-28 ESV)

Is there any hope? For parents? Children? Any of us?

"Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! ...There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."
(Paul, Romans 7:24-8:2 ESV)