Husbands And Wives
Today there is great emphasis
upon what is called freedom and liberation. Everyone wants to have his rights.
Another way of phrasing it would be, everyone wants to have his way. Perhaps a
word in season is needed. The spirit of this generation is contrary to the
spirit of Christ. The worldling asserts his rights. The believer submits to
the rights of others. The one place where the truthfulness; or hypocrisy of
our faith will be known is in the home.
It is the privilege and responsibility of a Christian wife to submit to
her own husband.
"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord."
My sisters, God has graciously given you a husband to love you and provide for
you. He has given you a head, to whom you should delightfully submit. I trust
that your husband loves Christ and his gospel. If so, I know that he loves you.
He seeks only your good. Is it not reasonable that you should submit to him?
His position is not that of a tyrant! But he is as much head as Christ is
the head of the church. See to it then that you reverence and obey your
husband, "Even as Sara obeyed Abraham calling him lord." You may mark
it down, any woman who is not in subjection to her husband is not in subjection
to Christ.
Now, my brothers; if you desire the reverence and obedience of your
wives; you must win it, just as Christ has won your reverence and obedience. Husbands
must love their wives into subjection. "Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it." It is
true, you must assume your position as the head of your home. But, if you would
have your wife to reverence you in her heart, you must win that reverence. You
must love her, provide for her, protect her, and tenderly nourish and cherish
her. Give yourself for her good, even as Christ gave himself for your eternal
good. It is not commanded that you should be willing to die for her, though
that may be included. But, you must give yourself for her.
It
is easy for a woman to reverence a men who loves her, and it is easy for a man
to love a woman who reverences him.
Don Fortner