Month: November 2017

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Eph 5:21-22

It is no coincidence that v. 21 comes just before v. 22 in our text. Only after understanding that we are called to submit to one another can we understand submission in the marriage relationship. Wives are indeed instructed over and over again to submit to their husbands in the Lord. (Col 3:18, Tit 2:5, 1Pe 3:1) It is a willful submission based on the command of God because he has established an order in the family unit–children obeying parents, wives submitting to husbands, and husbands answering to God; but the fullness of that command is understood in v. 21 where we realize that, as the wife properly submits to her husband, he is instructed also to submit to her needs by seeking her soul’s good as he leads.

This pattern of servant leadership is that which the Lord established in His earthly ministry. It is the standard of all proper leadership. We know that society breaks down when there is no authority or when people refuse to submit to those God has appointed to lead them. (Rom 13:1-2) But, all in authority must recognize that they must answer to God in that role. Col 4:1 drives this point home: “Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.” And so, Christ sets the standard for those who have others in subjection to them. It is not merely a call to lead; it is a call to serve.

The general instruction to every believer in Php 2:3-4 is “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” That command doesn’t change just because you’re in a role of authority. In fact, the next verse says we should live this way because Christ did! “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” (v. 5) Those in leadership should be setting the proper example for those submitting to them, and so Jesus Christ did exactly that. He made a distinction between His children and the world as He taught on leadership in Luk 22:25-27:

And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.”

And so, “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.” Also, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” But remember, “Husbands, love your wives…” (Col 3:18-20) Love her how? “…just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her”. (Eph 5:25)

Jamie

…giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…
Eph 5:20

It’s hard to overlook how far-reaching the text above is when it comes to our call to be thankful. When should we give thanks? Always! If we try to somehow minimize the strength of that word and ask, “Yeah, but what kind of stuff should we be thankful for?” God’s reply is, “All things!” There is really nothing left out of that text when it comes to the things that touch our lives. A similar passage is found in 1Th 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” This attitude of rejoicing while praying in thanksgiving to God should be our continual, unceasing manner of life because in doing so we are walking according to the will of God!

How do we exhibit such behavior in our daily practice? Does it mean we are to always have a smile, laugh in every circumstance, and never weep, sorrow, or mourn? That can’t be the case because the same apostle who wrote our text said of the great number of souls who were walking contrary to truth, “of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ”. (Php 3:18) Paul wept over these lost souls! Can he behave that way while also rejoicing and giving thanks? Absolutely! He said in 2Co 6:10 that as ministers of Christ, he was “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing”. The believer can display outward sorrow and still have inner joy and thanksgiving. But what does such an attitude look like?

I believe there is a key text that helps us with this question in Mat 28:9. It will be overlooked by many of us because several modern translations use an English word that makes the truth in this verse less obvious. In this text, Jesus meets the women that have just departed from his empty tomb. Some translations render Christ’s first word to them as, “Greetings”, but the NKJV and the AMP translate the Greek word correctly. His word to them is, “Rejoice!” (the same Greek word we quoted above in 1Th 5:16 where we were told to “rejoice always”) Well, of course they should rejoice. He’s risen from the dead! What else should they do?!! What they do next in this verse explains how we rejoice and give thanks always. They “worshiped Him”. That’s what true thanksgiving and rejoicing always produces in the heart of the believer. Even in difficult circumstances, we recognize that our Lord reigns over all, so we worship him in spite of the pain and suffering we experience.

There is perhaps no clearer example of this truth among God’s saints than in Job 1. In this one moment in time, this wealthy ruler of men and father of many gets the news that he has lost everything. His many livestock are stolen or dead, all his servants but a few have been murdered, and his ten children have been crushed to death when a strong wind causes the house to collapse upon them. I can’t imagine the grief Job must have felt at this moment. His spirit was broken, his soul was mourning, and his outward appearance conveyed his great sorrow: “Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground…” (Job 1:20) Can we say that he still gave thanks and rejoiced even in the midst of this tremendous trial? We can because of how the verse finishes. After all of this, Job “worshiped.” Even in such bitter suffering, Job praised God saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” (v. 21) He acknowledged the Lord was still reigning even in these devastating circumstances and that He was still worthy of praise!

Dear soul, that is the key to continual thanksgiving and perpetual joy. We hurt so badly at times that it would be a lie to smile. It’s okay to let our grief show as long as we don’t “sorrow as others who have no hope”. (1Th 4:13) We have an everlasting hope because Christ conquered the grave! He sits on the right hand of the Majesty on high reigning over all! No tears ever fall from the eyes of his saints without purpose, and He has a glorious end in mind for every trial His children endure. Worship Him! Are you afraid in the midst of your present storm? Let that fear drive you to the Lord. As the psalmist said, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” (Psa 56:3) Don’t forget Jer 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” And so, give “thanks always for all things…”

Jamie