Wives, submit yourselves unto your
own husbands, as it is fit in the
Lord. Husbands, love your wives
and be not bitter against them.
Children, obey your parents
in all things; for this is well
pleasing unto the Lord.
Fathers, provoke not your children
to anger, lest they be discouraged.
Servants, obey in all things your
masters according to the flesh;
not with eyeservice, as menpleasers;
but in singleness of heart, fearing God;
and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily,
as to the Lord, and not unto men;
knowing that of the Lord ye shall
receive the reward of the inheritance;
for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:18-24
Well, I've gone and done it: I have gone to preaching and this over a much debated subject: submission: or have I? I didn't write the Bible, I just quote the verses as they are written by men inspired by the Holy Spirit. Ha! Does this get me off? Maybe! More Greek for if we do not understand Greek we will come to a conclusion that those who spoke and read Greek understood and we will act wrongly: so: ύποτάσσησθε: second person, plural, present tense, subjective, middle voice. When it is second person the people in the Southern states have a good way of saying this: "you al'," Therefore this word applies to you all. As being in the present tense is that this word applies at all times. Being subjective is apples to each person, as does the middle. This word is derived from two Greek words: ύπο, to be under, and, τάσσω: to arrange, to set, to appoint, to be devoted, to settle, to decide. So, this word is best translated literally as to bring under influence, to be brought under a state of influence, to submit oneself, to render obedience. The question is then: who is that to whom I must submit to or be under their influence? Jesus stated these harsh but important words: "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24).Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ? If so, then, those words are meant for you, not just the disciples to whom He was speaking to, rather He set forth what is required of all disciple of His. This thought of a woman being under submission to a man is foreign to this world's culture whereby the cry is for women to free themselves from any submission to a man and be independent. Make a world for yourself, be wealthy, be sexy, be,....be.....be.... and so on and somehow also be a wife, but to be equal to your husband as though this is not already true. For woman is to be considered equal to her husband only the husband has duties as does the wife and these duties are agreeable to the order of nature and reasonable as well as this is the order and appointment and will of God. Genesis well testifies to this, God's order and reason: "And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him" (Genesis 2:18). Adam sinned even though it was Eve that brought to him the fruit of the forbidden tree but it was what man should never do and that is to be lustful and desire that which God does not desire for people: "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and give also unto her husband with her; and he did eat" (Genesis 3:6). This desire to be wise finds itself in the desire to be as a man, to have an equality that she already possess. To be an authority over her husband: "Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow thou shat bring forth children; and they desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee" (Genesis 3:16). Wait a minute: "he shall rule over thee?" Did something change in this arrangement towards man and woman? These words certainly, in the least, imply that there was equality before Eve sinned and then the sin of Adam. Adam was created first, then Eve, and Adam knew and walked in the Garden with God, knew God's command and that command apparently was not hard to keep for even Eve had not noticed that this forbidden tree was pretty, and had fruit that looked delicious: but, Adam listened to the voice of Eve (Genesis 3:17). Does this mean that a husband is not to listen to the voice of his wife? No! But as will be brought out in tomorrows blog the duties of a husband, he has the responsibility to examine what he is being told as to whether or not it is according to God's will. This cry for women to be empowered is a cry for women to usurp their God given position and this destroys the relationship between men and women and to children as well. There is no reason for a woman to seek empowerment she has all the empowerment that is needed so that the home, the love between her and her husband is one that is beneficial for both. Love, that is, agape, or a principled love of God should be the hallmark of anyone's life and actions if they are to be Authentic Christians.
This arrangement by God for there to be a man and a woman is a blessing for each if they would conform to the will of God. For some this marriage arrangement brings forth children to love and manage. For some this arrangement it to love their spouse and enjoy this life with that special person: but how can that other person be special if there is anything that holds a priority over the other person: it can't! All things are to be done so as to bring glory to God who created you in the first place. You exist because God wanted you to exist, therefore, to be influenced, devoted to your husband is God's will for your life, your existence. This existence is not for a person to be empowered, to have acclamations because they have not allowed anything, that includes husbands to deny this acclamation for whatever is considered as successful. God does not care one iota about your success, it is your life lived for Him that He cares about, your relationship to Him. And to have a relationship with God, then a person denies themselves and picks up there cross, that is, their life with all its ups and downs, and live for Him.
It may seem that I am picking on wives, this I am not doing, only pointing out that in this short life: from birth to death, we are to be a shining light manifesting God. Authentic Christians do not allow this world with its ungodly culture define our lives, our actions, or anything outside of God's will.
Now, for husbands: wait until tomorrow and we will see just what God has inspired to be written for you. All if done according to God's will, will bring a blessing that you will not be able to account, for God people do not look for a blessing, they look to serve God and live for Him. Be obedient and allow God to handle all circumstances.
Touching the Almighty, we cannot
find him out; he is excellent
in power, and in judgment, and
in plenty of justice; he will
not afflict. Men do therefore
feear him he respecteth not
that are wise in heart.
Job. 37:23-24
Make Home: Sweet Home!
Richard L. Crumb
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