Marriage: From God's View, Part 3: Submission

If there is one word that sets the feminist movement on its head, it is probably "submission."

I was a teenager of the '70s, but I never believed the feminist crap being espoused.  God created men and women differently and with different roles.

Unfortunately, feminists are not the only ones who don't get God's model.  There are many men who hear "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord," (Ephesians 5:22) and stop there.  Their caveman-like mentality hurts not only their spouse and marriage but also their testimony.  To quote a friend, "Jesus weeps."  I think he does more than that.  I think He is furious when He sees men misrepresenting Him.

Yes, I said it:  misrepresenting HIM.  Let's look at a few key verses in their totality.  Ephesians 5:22-23:  "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."

Let's look closely at what God is saying.  Yes, wives submit because if you both are trying to lead, you end up with a two-headed monster.

What simile does God use to compare the husband?  "...as Christ is the head of the Church."  The husband is being compared to Christ.  They are similar becaue their roles are similar.  Does Christ abuse the Church?  Of course not.  So, a husband is not to abuse his wife.  He is to behave like Christ.

Few husbands pay heed to Colossians 3:18-19:
             "Wives, submit to your husbands as is fitting in the Lord.  Husbands, love your wives
         and do not be harsh with them."

I see two things here.  One:  God knows us women and our tendencies to control.  I think that is why He says this in more than one place.  Second: He is making sure men don't get the wrong idea here
and think they have a license to abuse their wife.

Now, it is important that a man be the kind of man a woman wants  to follow---to submit to.  I will say unequivocally, I don't believe most women want a weak man; I certainly don't.  I've been there with my ex.  A woman wants a man who can lead her.  He needs to foremost have a heart for God and have his eyes trained on Him.  He needs to be her spirtual leader and encourager.  If he can't always point her to Christ, what good is he?    Proverbs 20:6-7 says, "Many a man claims to have an unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?  The righteous man leads a blamelss life.  Blessed are his children after him."

So, he needs to be faithful.....faithful to God and his wife.

Is it always easy to submit?  No, but it is what God commands us to do.  And, He commands the husband to lead his wife and not to "be harsh" for the husband is representing Christ to his wife.

Next:  Being a godly wife