Some of my notes from our Wed. night class last night. Reference are from the book EACH FOR THE OTHER by Brian Chapell. I just love how he shows we ALL must submit. It makes us all see how unity in Christ fits so perfectly when we use His model, and how it ultimately gives dignity to the Christian wife when, she, by submitting to her husband is ultimately submitting to our Lord.
Does everyone sacrifice for someone?
a. Wives to Husbands as to the Lord. (Eph. 5:22-24; Eph. 5:33)
b. Husbands to Wives as Christ for the church. (Eph. 5:25-33)
c. Children to parents. (Eph. 6:1-3)
d. Fathers to Children (do not exasperate). (Eph. 6:4)
e. Servants to Masters. (Eph. 6:5-8)
f. Master’s treatment of Servants. (Eph. 6:9)
g. Christians to each other. (Eph. 5:21)
The reason the above structure confirms the dignity of a Christian wife is that it proves that her submission does not automatically lessen her value or diminish her status in the kingdom. ALL Christians are to submit themselves to the good of others God has placed in their lives. Although the apostle clearly assigns differing purposes to husbands and wives, he just as clearly exempts NO ONE from the Christ-like attitudes and actions required of EVERYONE.
Read: Philippians 2:3-8
God’s call for selfless sacrifice makes submitting for someone else’s best interests the “common denominator” for Christians, not the reducer of personal worth.
Does Biblical submission lesson our value or worth in God’s eyes? Why or why not?
a. Each bears the image of God. (Gen. 1:27)
b. Each was deemed precious enough by God to be purchased by Jesus’ blood. (Col. 1:20-22)
c. Each has equal spiritual status. (Gal. 3:26-28)
d. Each will receive a heavenly inheritance. (1 Peter 3:7)
The Bible frees both men and women from the human grids that use power and accomplishment to determine our worth. God removes the price tags we put on ourselves and replaces it with His infinite value.
------------My favorite quote from Chapell's book:
"The words indicate that woman’s submission is motivated not so much by a husband’s deserving as by God’s purposes. The idea is that as a woman submits to her husband, she looks over his shoulders to see the Lord who is saying, “You are ultimately doing this not for him but for Me”."
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Hope everyone is having a blessed day,
Laurie
