Wives Are To Submit To Their Husbands
Ephesians 5:22 "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own
husbands, as unto the Lord. "
Important to mark that the same word "submit" is used in Ephesians 5:22 as was used in Ephesians 5:21. The kind of submission expected of all the members of Christ's body
whether male or female; leader or led, is the same expected of wives to their own husbands. It is the wives' privilege to set forth by their example how every member is to be
submissive one to another. Their guideline for submission is the Church's submission to Christ (Ephesians 5:24 ), and by getting it right they present in the home a living
picture of the bride of Christ. They portray His bride's sensitivity, loving co-operation, special oneness, adoring service, and unity of purpose. The Spirit-filled wife can live out
before her family and a wondering community this presentation of the glorious church of Christ.
Husbands Are To Love Their Wives
Ephesians 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also
loved the church, and gave himself for it;"
The husband's headship is described, as also Christ is Head of the Church (Ephesians 5:23 ). These words in their context emphasise the Headship of Christ in His role as
the self-giving, sacrificial, serving and saving Saviour. The husband is to fill this function in the home. What a description of God's intended role for the husband, by living the
Spirit-filled life he can be the self-giving prince, protector and provider of his wife and home. The husband is to love his wife with a love that is unselfish and sacrificial.
The love of the husband is to be "as Christ" who is the husband's role model.
Love as Christ, DISCERNINGLY
In consideration, loving care and understanding (Ephesians 5:25 ). Lack of this kind of love is the cause of much of the unhappiness - discord - friction in homes today.
Love as Christ, SACRIFICIALLY
"Gave Himself" (Ephesians 5:25 ). The willing, self-sacrificial love of Christ will be the devoted love of every Christlike husband. Remember Christ offered Himself
sacrificially through the eternal Spirit (Hebrews 9:14 ). So the christian husband can offer himself in self-sacrifice for his wife by living the Spirit-filled life.
Love as Christ, PURPOSEFULLY
(Ephesians 5:26 ), to set her apart to Christ - to develop holiness by imparting the Word - to promote her advancement and wellbeing - and bring forth her inner beauty and
glory (Ephesians 5:27 ). Just as Christ is purposefully sanctifying His Church and will present her all-glorious, without any blemish.
Love as Christ, SPECIALLY
As His own body (Ephesians 5:28-29 ). To love his wife like that is to love himself, and she will not lack for nourishment or cherishing. Just as the Church cannot know
neglect nor want of special attention as the body of the Lord (Ephesians 5:30 ).
Love as Christ, UNITEDLY
To be joined in perfect oneness. The leaving is for cleaving (Ephesians 5:31 ). The great mystery is that Christ and His Church will be in oneness for ever (Ephesians
5:32 ). The oneness of the Spirit-filled couple testifies that (Ephesians 5:33 ).
Children Are To Obey Their Parents
Ephesians 6:1 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is
right. "
This is God's instruction for children in christian homes. In the perilous times of today the style is disobedience to parents (2 Timothy 3:1-3 ). All the signs say that the
coming of the Lord is near. Godly children have been give the perfect example of Christ Jesus (Luke 2:51 ). Obedience is a right principle to govern the lives of believing
children. Honouring christian parents is a higher standard than obedience alone, being respect and consideration, and this must be given to both parents. (Ephesians 6:2
). Called the first commandment with a promise attached (Ephesians 6:3 ). By teaching our children to go beyond obedience to loving respectful consideration, we are
ensuring their long life. The best lesson for the children will be the enactment before them of a high regard and loving concern for each member as husband and wife. They are
learning from us either way.
A negative and positive word regarding bringing up children.
Ephesians 6:4 "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to
wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. "
Fathers are addressed possibly because of their accountability for their children. Both parents need to heed this warning. Correcting in anger arouses resentment in children, so
does unjust punishment and unattainable demands. Our training must not be of the latest humanistic trend - all our children's training must be of the Lord and we need to instruct
them in the Word of the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Proverbs 22:6; 2 Timothy 3:15 ).
A Standard Is Set For The Master-and-servant Relationship (Ephesians 6:5-9).
Our work is to be done as to the Lord, faithfully as the will of God for us, not wasting our employer's time, neither by being late or lazy, nor indifferent. God will surely reward us
(Ephesians 6:8 ). The service of Spirit-filled believers should be such that the non-believer should find it unbeatable.
Christian employers are to give the same consideration to those they employ as they expect from them, acting in full compliance with the Word and will of Christ their Master. As a
positive result they will give up threatening those who work for them, aware of the fact that as an employer they stand equally accountable to God, with whom there is no partiality.
The rule of God in our relationship through our submissive co-operation, ensures happy, holy and harmonious human relationships. But remember, the government of God can
only be realised in all its promise by living in obedience to Ephesians 5:18.
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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION