Follow the Leader

Well, I did it again. I had this post completely finished. I clicked on what I thought was publish, and then "view blog" and .....nothing. The title came up but nothing else. I had a feeling I shouldn't be doing this tonight, because I don't feel good, but I knew I wouldn't have time until tomorrow evening otherwise.

The Bible Seed for tonight's post is "Follow the Leader".

Tonight's Seed: "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your husbands "as to the Lord." For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Ephesians 5:21-23.

In tonight's seed we are all called to "submit to one another." This verse sets up the next portion of Scripture. Three everyday relationships are discussed in Ephesians 5:22-6:9: wives and husbands, children and parents, slaves and masters. The first party is always commanded to submit and obey. The second party is also to show submission by serving and concerning themselves with the first party. In a marriage, the husband and wife are to submit to one another. Marriage is a picture of Christ's relationship with His church. Just a Jesus is the head of the body, so husbands are the head, or leader, of their wives. Some husbands may like that role and fulfill it well. Others may resent being a leader and shirk their role at every opportunity.

Men and women have an equal relationship with God. First Peter 3:7 says we are "fellow heirs" of God's grace. Submission does not make women lesser people! Husbands and wives are equal in value to the kingdom of God, but within marriage we have different functions. Men are created to lead their homes and love their wives in the same way Christ loved the church. Jesus loved the church so much that He gave his life for it. Husbands have a big responsibility. Women are their husband's helpmate and are to respect their husbands.

Submission is not being a doormat. It is not allowing behaviors contrary to God's commands to continue in your home. It is not taking on a second-class role. It is simply this: allowing and respecting your husband's position as the family leader without usurping that authority by doing things behind his back, allowing the children to disobey his wishes, or demanding your way every time.

Biblical submission is strength harnessed.

Background Bulb: When today's seed says to submit "as t the Lord" it is not saying we submit to our husbands the same way as we do to Christ. That would be impossible, as our husbands are not perfect as Christ is. What it is saying is that our submission to our husbands is an act of service to Christ. It is our calling.

Sprout & Scatter: There is tremendous power in biblical submission. Through acknowledging his leadership and supporting him every day, wives can empower their husbands to be confident, mature , and responsible leaders within their homes.

Think about it: How do you feel about submitting to your husband as the leader of the family?

List some instances when you thing submission is important.

Prayer Pot: Father, help me to recognize my husband's leadership in ....(insert your request.)

I have two different perspectives on this. My first was to be submissive to the husband if he is a believer and in the will of God. Then, I began to think about another scripture about the husband being saved by his wife's conversation or "lifestyle". This tells me that if the wife continues to live for God and be an example to her husband that eventually, his heart will soften and he too will start living for God, thereby being saved and getting into the will of God. I tend to go with my first one though because I know that God would not want us to do anything out of His will deliberately and if the husband is a non-believer or the type of person who think that being a believer consists of just being a good person", then we could easily fall out of the will of God, since there is much more to it than that. Being a believer consists of living for God, following all of His commandments, not just the 10 Famous ones, studying His Word, and loving Him. All of this as well as "being a good person".

Well, I've said my piece for the second time tonight. Let's see if I can publish this without messing up again.

Good Night to All, and May God Bless.

PJ