Why? When we talk about authority we must remember one thing: God is our ultimate authority. We must submit under HIS authority above all else. When we submit under the authority of God, we are then asking to be broken, humbled, and surrendered fully under His lordship. So, what other authority has He called us to submit to? Let's take a look at the scriptures. And for those of you who are reading this who have no relationship with Jesus, I know you're thinking, "She's going back to the Bible. Why? It's not truth. It's just a book of old stories and fables. People are CRAZY and senile to believe in that stuff." Ok. Believe what you will. But how is it working out for you that your hope is placed in the world and not in Jesus? Read the Bible and you'll see it's not just a book of tales and fables. It's the inspired Word of God, true in all its entirety. Anyway... let's take a look at what the scriptures say. Genesis 2:7 says, "And the Lord GOD formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." Who did? MAN. Now as we go ahead a little bit we read in Genesis 2:18, 21-22-23
"And the Lord GOD said, 'It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.' ... And the Lord GOD caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the LORD GOD had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh o my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.'"
God created Adam FIRST. Notice how it says in this passage that God created a help comparable to him. Did he say, "identical"? "the same"? No... comparable. That means that Eve (or woman) wasn't created the same as Adam, or that she was equal to Adam, it says that she was his helper. We are called to HELP, not demand for equal rights. It goes on to say that God created Eve out of the rib of Adam. She was taken out of Man. Notice that God took part of Adam and created Eve. Many girls and guys believe that God doesn't have ONE specific person created for them in marriage. They believe that they can choose whoever they want to and God will bless it regardless. So, they go from relationship to relationship, just seeing if one will work out 'pretty well' and then they end up marrying, only to realize that this is a HUGE mistake, and a false belief. Why would God created Eve, for Adam, OUT OF ADAM, if He had 'several different' options in mind for Adam? Were there five girls Adam could choose from and he picked Eve? No... Eve was created FOR Adam, OUT OF Adam, and was ORDAINED for Adam. She was his helper, his companion. God told them to multiply. So where does sin come in? Well of course when Eve ate of the forbidden fruit. It talks in Genesis that Eve was the one who sinned. The woman messed up. Why do you think God made man the spiritual leader?
Ladies, when we claim that we want more pray, equal rights, and we refuse to do the things we are called to do, how does that help the family run? It is so sad seeing more women making their husbands stay home from work to raise the kids while they're out working at a high paying job and making tons of money. Selfish. I'm not saying women shouldn't work. There are scenarios in the family where it's the ONLY alternative and I know the Lord will use it. Yet, ladies, it is a blessing, honor, privilege to stay at home and raise those babies. If I as a neurosurgeon and my husband only worked at an office or, some other job that paid less, I would gladly stay home, quit my job, and raise our precious babies. Do you see the world out there? Public schools are not teaching on homosexuality, witchcraft, acceptance, tolerance. Whatever happened to godliness? The specific roles of men and women? I will get chewed out for this...but I do not care. It's not my life, it's God's. I am only abiding by His principles and commands.
I was teaching this Summer in a third grade classroom and I was reading a book on baseball with one of my students. I was appalled when I flipped to the next chapter to realize it was all about a 10 year old boy getting involved with the occult. Really? At 10 years old? It's sickening, disgusting, and repulsive to see the way our world is going. Now, I'm not saying home-school or Christian school are the two ONLY OPTIONS women should take. Sometimes public school works, and you may raise your children in such a way that they will be a light in that world. Yet, be on guard. Even for yourselves. The world is fleeting and becoming more and more destructive.
It is stated so much in scripture that women be under the authority of their husbands. Why? Let me tell you: God only ordained laws and commands because He loves you, and because He knows what's best. Don't you trust that God knows exactly what He's doing? The God who created the heavens and the earth and all its fullness. He ordained man to love his wife as Christ loved the church, and He ordained woman to love her husband and show respect. It's a beautiful thing when a woman submits.. it shows respect and honor toward her spouse.
Again, you all may think I'm crazy considering I'm not even dating. But this is a huge burden on my heart. Submission doesn't just go for marriage. What about our parents? Our managers? The people in ministry leadership positions? Our pastor? We all need to be submitting under the authority placed over us. It's all over scripture. If we lack submitting, then we obviously aren't fully surrendered to God. We must first submit under God's authority. It clearly states in scripture that if we refuse to submit then we are sinning against God. We are refusing to submit under God when we refuse to submit to those over us. Now, I'm not saying that if your spouse, or manager, or mother/father treat you horribly you are to submit. God is clear that you must submit but when they are telling you to do something against scripture, that's a different story. Of course I would never say "deal with it" when it comes to abuse, or neglect. Yet, we must give all things to God in prayer.
Take a look at the Proverbs 31 woman. Does it say anywhere in that passage that she was one to demand orders and refuse to obey the commands set before her? She was kind in speech and gentle. Wisdom was on her tongue and the law of kindness. Her husband favored her, and loved her, and why? Because she respected him, loved him, and submit to his authority. It says in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, "Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; ..."
Ladies, I'm not sure where you got the notion that women can teach over men. God DID NOT ORDAIN IT THIS WAY. He has clearly set man to be the head of the church, and so women need to be under man's authority. Women can speak over women, but not over men. All I hear in the world when it comes to women pastor's is, equality, equal rights, women can do it too. No, women can't. Why do you think God made scripture this way? Why do you think He made the church the way He made it? Because it was for our own good. We must not change up the ordinances of the church, as we see so much around the world. It's sinful to do things contrary to what God has ordained and let me tell you: He will never bless it.
Ladies, I could go on forever in this subject. I could list verse after verse after verse, but I have seen it fail in my own life. I have not submitted under the authority set before me and it only reaps sin. Period. Once we fail to submit under our parents, teachers, school board, leaders, pastors, managers... we end up becoming full of pride, bitter and it adds up to us thinking that we're worthy of something when... news flash: we're worthy of NOTHING apart from Jesus Christ. We won't be able to submit, ever, unless we are broken and yearning for a heart that pleases the Lord. Selfishness, pride, arrogance, bitterness, self-absorption... these things can be seriously dangerous for our spiritual lives. Unless we are completely emptied and poured out as an offering for the Lord, we will never experience true joy. We must be willing and ready to pour out everything that we have, all our hopes, desires, dreams, wants... and say, "Lord, I surrender all these things... and I only want the desires of my heart that YOU have for me." It is until we can fully be broken in surrender that God can show us how to submit under the leadership over us.
Ladies, it isn't "old fashioned" or "sexist" when we submit under the authority of the spouse God has given us, or will give us. We are called to RESPECT our husbands. Submitting under his authority is just part of this showing our respect. God is so clear in this. Men, it is also your job to LEAD women into more of the image of Christ. Be the example of Christ in her life... your ultimate goal (aside from devoting your whole lives unto God) is to be pointing her unto Christ. Oh, how the Lord desires all of us! He desires our entire being. He has ordained marriage for HIS purpose and plan. Marriage isn't just about falling in love, having companionship, and being happy with who you're with. Those are little blessings along the way. But God ordained marriage, and because He ordained it, it should be all about HIM. Marriage should be the union of two souls who come together as one flesh to glorify Him, serve Him in the ministry, and devote their lives unto Him 24/7. To me, that is the purpose of such a beautiful union. I want nothing to do with marriage if it is only for my own selfish ambitions and desires. It isn't all about me.. it's all about Jesus. Ever. Always. Forever.
May we ladies pray that God would give us hearts that don't scream for equality, but hearts that yearn to see us glorifying Him in everything. May we realize that the standards this world has placed before us are not Biblical standards. They are not upright. Being a stay at home mom, raising the children, and being a house-wife is the most blessed, rewarding, and beautiful job I could ever imagine. I don't care if it's old fashioned. I would rather do nothing else than serve my family, raise my family, and teach my family values that are of the Lord.
In this season I must serve my GOD with all that I am. 1 Corinthians 7:34 says, " ...the unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit..." This is my heart. My aim is to glorify God in all things, in my body, spirit, mind, and actions. I want to learn NOW how to be a woman of virtue.. a woman who is beautiful in the sight of Christ not because of me on the outside, but because of my heart.
May we each pray that God would continue to mold us more into the image of His Son, and that we would learn more and more what it truly means to hold ourselves up as women of God.
"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respect her husband." ~ Ephesians 5:22-33
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