As we consider the “headship” of a husband and the “submission” of a wife, we must understand that the goal is a people who are an acceptable offering to God. In Romans 15:16, Paul explains that a goal of his ministry is that the Gentiles are an acceptable offering to God. Isaiah 66:20 prophesies a people from every nation brought “as an offering to the Lord”.
The relationship between a husband and wife is a profound mystery that refers to the relationship between Christ and the church. We should behold this mystery and follow the guidance given to us in the Scriptures. If a man will love his wife rightly, he will love her as Christ loved the church, not as a disrespectful ogre who barks orders and belittles. The difference is huge! He will give himself up for her daily. Yes, he should be willing to doe for her, but more practically, he should be willing to live each day working hard to provide physical and spiritual health. His goal should be her holiness and beauty as he speaks the Word of God into her life daily. And if he love her and leads her in Christ-likeness, it will not be so hard for her to submit. She will gratefully accept and welcome such tender and unselfish care.
God’s design is never chauvinistic or belittling. It is actually quite beautiful. John Stott explains this process appropriately… “So husbands and wives should not expect to discover harmony without conflict; they have to work at building a relationship of love, respect, and truth…Now to lose oneself that the other may find his or her self – that is the essence of the Gospel of Christ.”
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
Biblical Knowledge, Manhood, & Womanhood
Read Genesis 3 & Ephesians 5
In the ministry, I often get the privilege of meeting with people who are going through hard seasons. I call it a privilege because I get to offer hope in Christ. I always want to meet with the husband AND wife. 90% of the time, if someone shows up in need of help, it is the woman and children. Men can be very prideful and cowardly. So, as often as I can, I want to meet with both of them. Over time I have observed some things that seem to happen in almost every meeting.
The first observation is that every man tells me, emphatically, that he is a good daddy, a good husband, and a hard worker…and it is not his fault that things are the way they are…just a run of “bad luck”.
The second observation takes place when I read Scripture out loud. Almost without fail, the man will fold his arms and lean back in his chair while the woman leans forward hanging on every word. Do you know why she does this? Because she is EAGER TO BE LEAD!
She desires to be lead because God made her that way. God also made man to feel the weight of leadership. But man will often try to trust his own mind in making decisions about what is right and wrong, harmful and helpful. Proverbs 28:26 says, “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered”. To walk in wisdom is to ask God who gives generously and without reproach. To walk in wisdom is to cling to Christ. And as we walk, we trust God to deliver us from the many mistakes we make in our thoughts and decisions.
In the ministry, I often get the privilege of meeting with people who are going through hard seasons. I call it a privilege because I get to offer hope in Christ. I always want to meet with the husband AND wife. 90% of the time, if someone shows up in need of help, it is the woman and children. Men can be very prideful and cowardly. So, as often as I can, I want to meet with both of them. Over time I have observed some things that seem to happen in almost every meeting.
The first observation is that every man tells me, emphatically, that he is a good daddy, a good husband, and a hard worker…and it is not his fault that things are the way they are…just a run of “bad luck”.
The second observation takes place when I read Scripture out loud. Almost without fail, the man will fold his arms and lean back in his chair while the woman leans forward hanging on every word. Do you know why she does this? Because she is EAGER TO BE LEAD!
She desires to be lead because God made her that way. God also made man to feel the weight of leadership. But man will often try to trust his own mind in making decisions about what is right and wrong, harmful and helpful. Proverbs 28:26 says, “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered”. To walk in wisdom is to ask God who gives generously and without reproach. To walk in wisdom is to cling to Christ. And as we walk, we trust God to deliver us from the many mistakes we make in our thoughts and decisions.
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