Submission, unfortunately, is an extremely polarizing word in society today. Criticized both within and outside the church, people simply do not want to hear that they are to submit to anyone, much less a woman submitting to her husband! One “Christian leader” even has stated publicly that he just throws the word out of the Bible. Yet, the Bible clearly states that people are to submit to God, fellow Christians, and the rulers God has put in place - and that wives are to submit to their husbands. Submission should be a positive part of every Christian’s life. Abuses of the Biblical ideal of submission are not a reason to discard the principle.
We are to obey the authorities God has put into place (1 Peter 2:13), those over us (Ephesians 5:33, 1 Peter 2:18), church leadership (Hebrews 13:17), and other Christians (Ephesians 5:21). Christians are called to submission! Often couples don’t realize that submitting one to another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21) applies also to husband and wife. We submit to each other as we would submit to other Christians, honoring and respecting each other, and humbly accepting each other’s admonitions that help us grow and mature in our walk with the Lord.
We are to obey the authorities God has put into place (1 Peter 2:13), those over us (Ephesians 5:33, 1 Peter 2:18), church leadership (Hebrews 13:17), and other Christians (Ephesians 5:21). Christians are called to submission! Often couples don’t realize that submitting one to another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21) applies also to husband and wife. We submit to each other as we would submit to other Christians, honoring and respecting each other, and humbly accepting each other’s admonitions that help us grow and mature in our walk with the Lord.
In marriage, the wife consents to being led—she is not forced. She respects and honors her husband; she is not his slave. She supports and encourages her husband, rather than mothering him and trying to make him into something she thinks he should be. As the husband leads by submitting to God and loving his wife sacrificially, the wife aligns herself with him; and then, working together, they go in the direction God intends for them. The world needs to see husbands and wives submitted to God and loving each other by giving of themselves for each other; not arguing about who is in charge. Are you living in submission to the Lord your God and loving your spouse as the Lord would want you to love him or her?
For more information, check out:
by Denise Larson Cooper
by Jack
Wellman
No comments:
Post a Comment