- Dec 21, 2013
- 1,116
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At the time of creation God recognized that Adam by himself was not right. God, always having the relationship of the Trinity, knew that man needed companionship as well. In His final work He made Eve, the crown jewel of His creation. God created Eve in His image, the most beautiful creature, made to love and support Adam. Ever since then man and woman have been joined as one before God. A beautiful woman may be measured by her physical features, but in the Bible we understand that beauty is truly defined by her character. "She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." (Proverbs 31:20,26)
A godly woman of such character is one that strives not to go against her true purpose since the time of creation. The woman came from the side of man, and it is there she is to return. Not at his feet to be trampled on, and not at his head to compete for leadership, but at his side under his protecting arm. This is not a position of humiliation, but a station of honor. God's charge to women to submit to their husbands is great, but the responsibilities given to man are far greater. He is to honor her and love her in such a manner as to mimic the love of Christ for the Church. To care and provide for her in all the things, and cherish her always. "Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 9:9)
To submit to another is not an easy task, but it is a godly choice. Submission is a matter of trusting in God's will. Though the wife submits to the husband, the husband must first submit to Christ and learn from His example. Jesus doesn't neglect, ignore, or abuse the Church. He doesn't treat her with demeaning disrespect. He never acts arrogant or insensitive toward her. He also doesn't criticize her or make her feel invaluable. So while God gives the husband a position of leadership in relationship to his wife, He also requires a price of self-sacrifice from him. "Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered." (1 Peter 3:7)
It is difficult to discuss such things we find to be culturally challenging in this day in age. Many would say that what is said about women is out of date, and too patriarchal. But let me remind you that in all things we do to glorify God, sacrificing your selfish ambitions for the sake of others is the greatest thing we can do, second only to loving God. For the godly woman, in sacrificing the independence of her youth and submitting to her husband as her head, has the single greatest position of honor and glory to God. "But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God." (1 Corinthians 11:3)
A godly woman of such character is one that strives not to go against her true purpose since the time of creation. The woman came from the side of man, and it is there she is to return. Not at his feet to be trampled on, and not at his head to compete for leadership, but at his side under his protecting arm. This is not a position of humiliation, but a station of honor. God's charge to women to submit to their husbands is great, but the responsibilities given to man are far greater. He is to honor her and love her in such a manner as to mimic the love of Christ for the Church. To care and provide for her in all the things, and cherish her always. "Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 9:9)
To submit to another is not an easy task, but it is a godly choice. Submission is a matter of trusting in God's will. Though the wife submits to the husband, the husband must first submit to Christ and learn from His example. Jesus doesn't neglect, ignore, or abuse the Church. He doesn't treat her with demeaning disrespect. He never acts arrogant or insensitive toward her. He also doesn't criticize her or make her feel invaluable. So while God gives the husband a position of leadership in relationship to his wife, He also requires a price of self-sacrifice from him. "Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered." (1 Peter 3:7)
It is difficult to discuss such things we find to be culturally challenging in this day in age. Many would say that what is said about women is out of date, and too patriarchal. But let me remind you that in all things we do to glorify God, sacrificing your selfish ambitions for the sake of others is the greatest thing we can do, second only to loving God. For the godly woman, in sacrificing the independence of her youth and submitting to her husband as her head, has the single greatest position of honor and glory to God. "But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God." (1 Corinthians 11:3)