Whether husbands or wives, parents or children, brothers and sisters in Christ or simply fellow human beings, God calls us to submit to one another in the fear of God. How do we do that in the apparently complicated realm of relationship?
First thing, we NEVER submit to anyone who promotes us to sin: activity which falls short of what we know of God through the scripture. If a person were to tell you to blaspheme the Holy Spirit or "curse God and die" as was Job's wife's exhortation during his trial, we Christians would shudder. Some sinful promotions are not as clear, but you get the point.
As a husband, how do I accomplish the following admonishment: "For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; BUT ALL THINGS ARE FROM GOD." (1 Corinthians 11:12)? This means that we BOTH have to answer to the Most High! As a man and a husband I have a Lord and Master: God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ok, still explaining how I should submit to my wife (and we to one another). God has called women to do certain things. In Titus 2:5, He calls women to be homemakers. In that arena, I should submit to my wife, because God has not called me to a homemaker. So, as my wife submits her ideas regarding that command of God, I must be willing to submit unless her idea breaches the higher calling of the Word of God: like borrowing money. If my wife wants a particular theme in her decorating, I should be willing to agree; wants to fix a particular type of meal, I don't come in and change it because it may not be my fancy for that day. The same goes for interactions in other types of relationships: we should be willing to yield as long as yielding isn't sinful.
First thing, we NEVER submit to anyone who promotes us to sin: activity which falls short of what we know of God through the scripture. If a person were to tell you to blaspheme the Holy Spirit or "curse God and die" as was Job's wife's exhortation during his trial, we Christians would shudder. Some sinful promotions are not as clear, but you get the point.
As a husband, how do I accomplish the following admonishment: "For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; BUT ALL THINGS ARE FROM GOD." (1 Corinthians 11:12)? This means that we BOTH have to answer to the Most High! As a man and a husband I have a Lord and Master: God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ok, still explaining how I should submit to my wife (and we to one another). God has called women to do certain things. In Titus 2:5, He calls women to be homemakers. In that arena, I should submit to my wife, because God has not called me to a homemaker. So, as my wife submits her ideas regarding that command of God, I must be willing to submit unless her idea breaches the higher calling of the Word of God: like borrowing money. If my wife wants a particular theme in her decorating, I should be willing to agree; wants to fix a particular type of meal, I don't come in and change it because it may not be my fancy for that day. The same goes for interactions in other types of relationships: we should be willing to yield as long as yielding isn't sinful.
But, most importantly, we should be watchful that we don't frustrate another's faith in God. God gives each one a measure of faith and builds on it as we receive His inspiration. Another's revelation may not sound right to you, and in some cases, cause you some extra work or bother, but just as Jesus is endeavoring to build a spiritual house within you for His dwelling, so is He within others. We can assist Him as we yield to their revelations, inspired or not. As we love others the way He loves us through forbearance, we are helping them to see clearer. It's amazing how His love according to His Word ministers to His creation!
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