Submission in Marriage is the Glue
“And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5.21 NLT).
As Christians, men and women both have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. Jesus died for each of us. We are all royal priests through Christ (1 Peter 2.9). Although men and women have equal value, we each have unique roles of submission within marriage. These roles have been established by God for the profit of the husband, wife, marriage and family.
Both men and women are submitted to some sort of leadership in life according to their age, their careers and their family status. Submission is not an ugly, domineering thing. Submission is literally what binds, protects and raises a ministry, business, family and, yes, a marriage. In fact, Jesus submitted Himself unto death and now sits at the right hand of God (Hebrews 10.12). His submission is what binds, protects and raises us, the Church.
“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2.8 NIV).
Submission is like a glue that draws diverse people together, so that God can catapult them into higher levels without everything falling a part. Nothing great can happen without submission. Jesus’ life was a demonstration of that truth.
Submission in Marriage Binds
A woman’s role as wife is different from her role as employee, boss, owner, prophet, teacher, leader, etc. In all other roles outside of marriage, she will have points of leadership and submission just like anyone else. Same is true for a man’s role as husband. His submission in marriage will look differently than the other roles he fulfills outside of the home.
According to Ephesians 5.21, both wife and husband are submitted to each other. However, their submissions are not identical, they are complements. When the man and woman make their marriage vows, they commit to being united as one just as the Church is united with Christ. They are now husband and wife. A mysterious and supernatural binding occurs that only submission in Christ can keep together.
“As the Scriptures say, ‘A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one” (Ephesians 5.31-32 NLT).
The wife is submitted to her husband as to the Lord.
“Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as [a service] to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as Christ is head of the church, Himself being the Savior of the body” (Ephesians 5.22-23 AMP).
The wife trusts her husband because he is the authority God has placed in her life. This authority is for her protection and blessing. Yes, no one is perfect and her husband may make mistakes (as will she), but God is more than capable of turning all things for her good (Romans 8.28 NIV).
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