SUBMISSION vs COOPERATION
Memorise:
For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: .. 1 Peter 3:5
Read:
Ephesians 5:22-33
Message
Marriage is a beautiful gift from God; it is designed to bring joy and fulfilment to both partners. Like every other gift from God, it comes with a manual-the word of God. In today's Bible reading, there is a detailed description of how a husband and wife should relate with each other. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church, while wives are to submit to their husbands.
Many women don't understand what submission really means. They say they are submissive, whereas they are only cooperative. Cooperation is agreeing with your husband because you want the same things. Submission, however, is complying with his wish even when you don't agree. Many women find it difficult to submit to their husbands because the society talks about gender equality. However, this is not what the Bible says about marriage.
Submission does not mean slavery or servitude, rather, it is a voluntary act of respect and obedience from a wife to her husband as the head of the home. When you obey your boss in the office, it is not because you are a slave, it is because there is a hierarchy that must be followed for things to go smoothly in the office. An English proverb says that two captains cannot sail a ship. As a wife, your husband is the captain of your marriage-ship; submitting to him is a key ingredient in ensuring that you have a blissful marriage.
Years ago, I used to preach regularly at a university, and a woman would usually come to me complaining about her husband's stubbornness and asking me to pray the Stubbornness away. After a while, I decided I wasn't going to pray any more. I told her, "When you get home, place his food on the dining table, call him your head, and ask him to come and eat. When he sits at the table, give him a bowl of water, kneel and let him wash his hands in it." She said, "No way! He is a professor just like I am. We are the same." replied that if she wanted my help, she should take my advice. She decided to do it, and at first, her husband wondered if she had poisoned the food. She told him that her pastor taught her what she was doing, and suddenly, the stubborn husband became very soft. He followed her to the next service and became born again. Their marriage blossomed thereafter.
Bible In One Year:
Micah 1-4
Hymn:
When We Walk With The Lord
Key Point:
Submission is not slavery; it is a sign of wisdom for a successful marriage.
When we walk with the Lord
Trust and obey!
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.