Plan B Forum

The Principle of Authority in Marriage

When God calls a woman to submit to the leadership of the man, this is not saying the woman is any less than the man, because she is not. Galations 3:28 says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Jesus Christ."

Although there is no difference between man and woman in the nature of their salvation of standing with God, there is a principle of authority in the family. Those who struggle with this concept will be helped by considering Paul's words: "But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God"
(1 Corinthians 11:3).

What does this verse mean when it says that the "the head of Christ is God"? As we studied earlier in this series, the Bible speaks of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are coequal and coeternal. This verse is saying that God the Father is the head of Christ—not in essence or nature, but in function. Jesus was in His very nature God, but He laid aside His rights and privileges and humbled Himself as a servant.

The relationship structure of Jesus Christ to God the Father is the same one presented to us in marriage. Though the husband and wife are equal in their standing before God, in order for the family to function in harmony, the woman, with no loss of dignity, takes the place of submission to the headship of her husband.

God's divine design intends that the wife's respect, help and obedience would be matched by her husband's servant leadership as they submit together to the lordship of Jesus Christ and to each other.

I seek my wife's input and wisdom before making most of my decisions. In describing the woman of virtue in Proverbs 31, the following is said:
"Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness" (vv.11-12; 25-27 NIV)
There will be times where, in the interest of the family, a husband must make certain decisions that may not be popular. At those times, the wife needs to accept that God, having put her husband in that position of authority, will speak to his heart.

The Motive and Model of Submission

Wives are told to submit to their husbands as to the Lord (Ephesians 5:22). Wives need to submit to their husbands as an act of submission to the Lord. Scripture reminds us, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man" (Colossians 3:23).

That very attitude can change the way you do everything. Ruth Graham has a sign over her sink that reads, "Divine service done hear daily."

In other words, make that meal, change the diaper, sing that song, perform those household chores as if you were doing that job "unto the Lord." and submit to your husband in the same way.

Those who are in authority over us do not always command our respect. They may not inspire us as we would like them to. We might even disagree with them at times. But we recognize that their authority comes from God. So we do those things "for them" as much as we do it "for the Lord."


http://www.harvest.org/church/index.php/8/20/105.htm

In other words, make that meal, change the diaper, sing that song, perform those household chores as if you were doing that job "unto the Lord." and submit to your husband in the same way.

dales wrote:One must also remember that husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the Church.

No greater love exists in the universe.