Ephesians 5:22-33
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Wives: Submit - there is one who leads and one who follows. Wives are to submit to their husbands freely, and he cannot force her to submit. It doesn't mean she is worthless, or cannot be strong-willed, or well-educated. She has influence and talents. Her role under the husband is part of the hierarchical realm. She is to follow her husband, and her motivation is to be that by doing that she will also be serving Christ. As unto the Lord she is to submit to him, but not if he commands her to do things that are not under God. The husband is not the absolute power.
Husbands: Leader - they are to see to, love, and care for as well as prioritize their wives. They are to be like Christ to the Church. He is called to lay down the self and to completely devote himself to the welfare of his wife. With the husbands role we are reminded of Christ: his sacrifice and service and our salvation.
Children: are called to obey their parents. That is the call and if we follow it we are promised long life on the whole of the earth. The land of God brought the fullness of the flowering of God's kingdom.
Fathers: are to train, exhort, and instruct their children as unto the Lord. He is to be a shepherd to his family, leading them ever before God and His Word; reminding them of God's promises to a Godly, Biblical family. Fathers are to train up their children under God and to lead their wives gently and with tender love. If they are the husband and father they should be, then it will not be hard for his children to obey or his wife to submit. It would be easy and a joy for them to live out their Godly roles if their family head is faithful to his role.
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This is another passage of Scripture I came across last night that says basically the same thing as Ephesians says, but it went into more depth at some points:
1 Peter 3:1-7 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Lot of stuff to work on... lol ;) May be a while before I'm fully ready for the role. Lord willing, though, not too long.
I say it to myself all the time...but do you think we will ever say that we are ever fully ready? Thank the Lord for our parents and those in authority who help us along and encourage us that as God as our leader we are prepared to take on anything, including marriage.
Amen to that! I really don't think I'd ever *say* that I'm fully ready... Our parents are so amazing in that they can teach us and guide us in the way, and help us prepare as best we possibly can.
And it is sad when too many kids leave their parents' advice in the dirt because they think they know better than God and His plan for us. Thank God for the godly people I know how faithfully obey their parents :)
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