How many sermons have you heard, blogs have you read and prayers have you utter about wives submitting to their husbands? It is a biblical doctrine. I don’t fault it or begrudge it (anymore). I actually find solace in my husband being provider and protector.
But did you know that when the Apostle and Elder Peter addressed the topic he followed up with this?
In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7
“In the same way” points backwards to whatever he just said, which is:
Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives. 1 Peter 3:4
It says to honor, understand and treat her as an equal partner. But apostolic doctrine also teaches that husbands must submit their will to their wives.
Doesn’t this sound familiar? Think the Garden of Gethsemane. Think Jesus praying. Think Jesus spitting out the words “not my will.”
Ephesians 5 the Apostle Paul reiterates the bride/ groom imagery between Christ and the church that we find in the gospels. The Apostle John brings it full circle in Revelation 19. Jesus is the groom. The church is the bride.
The thing is this is a much bigger deal for the men than the every day submission women are called to. Being a Christ figure requires so much more.
It requires sacrificial love.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11
It requires humility.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
It requires spiritual focus.
Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Col. 3:2
Now for my social commentary on the church. We aren’t teaching this. We aren’t teaching this to our sons. Our elders aren’t holding men accountable to this. The result is divorce, miserable marriages and children not seeing the beauty of Christ and the church modeled for them every day.
Personally, I am tired of seeing marriages, that should be Christian marriages, crumble. I am tired of watching men and women holding on my thin thread. I am tired of watching marriages be ho-hum when Jesus offers so much more.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10
Ladies, if you are looking for a spouse, find a man who is brave and strong enough to take this on.
If you are a woman desiring this- pray!
If you are a man not doing it- repent.
If your marriage is less than abundant, it is time to kick out the devil, do it God’s way and claim what Jesus promises- an abundant life and marriage.
