SUBMITTING TO GOD’S AUTHORITY IN THE HOME

In this blog post we come to the section of verses in Colossians in which Paul shares God’s will for the Christian concerning the structure of authority in the family.  It is a concept that only Christian families can truly understand and more willingly embrace when each member of the family understands God’s heart and submits as unto Him. 

Colossians 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

Our culture and society has certainly made this directive distasteful to most women today.  Submission is understood as weakness and as designating inferiority.  That is not God’s intention.  We must always remember that every command and instruction that God has given us is for our good.  Because in general men have rebelled from their responsibilities before God and women have asserted their “equality” in every area, this aspect of God’s ordained structure for the family has basically been ignored—the implication being that we know better than God what is good for us.  The thing to remember is that Paul is writing to believers, those who should be embracing God’s will for their lives.  I can’t help but be curious as to why this verse was inspired to precede the following verse.  It is much easier for wives to understand and accept submission in light of God’s command to the husbands.  The sobering truth is that this distinction is a result of the curse for sin.

Genesis 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

It’s not the relationship God established with the creation; it’s a relationship that became necessary because of our rebellion.  The most important motivation for every Christian wife is to remember that we are submitting to the Lord in submitting to our husbands.  I liked a quote from Warren Wiersbe I found in David Guzik’s commentary:  “The idea of submission doesn't have anything to do with someone being smarter or better or more talented. It has to do with a God-appointed order. "Anyone who has served in the armed forces knows that 'rank' has to do with order and authority, not with value or ability."

Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

In my opinion, husbands are given the much harder command.  They are to love their wives unconditionally and not act bitterly toward them.  According to Webster, to act bitterly is to cause physical pain or to cause pain or distress to the mind.  He also defines it as actions that are severe, cruel, harsh, or stern.  As you can see, this directive applies to both “words and deeds” as referenced in verse 17.  When a Christian husband is obedient to this instruction from the Lord, it will not be hard for the wife to be submissive.  His actions will demonstrate that he is always watching out for her well being because he is being submissive to the Lord.

This brings up another important point in my thinking regarding being sure that you do not get unequally yoked to an unbeliever.  If a Christian woman puts herself in that position, she is just asking for trouble.  1Peter makes it clear that you are to be submissive to the unbelieving husband in hopes of winning him to faith by your example.

1Peter 3:1-2 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Paul now directs his instruction to the children.  In each case—wife, husband, child—I think Paul is singling out the most important instruction for each for creating a happy home that honors the Lord.  The hardest thing for a child to do is obey.  The instruction is that they obey all of the time—not just part of the time.  Again, if their parents are themselves submissive and obedient to the Lord, an environment is created that makes this instruction easier to follow; it does not, however, ensure compliance.  Until a child comes to saving faith and in possession of the Holy Spirit, he most naturally follows the desires of his flesh.  He has to be taught what is good and right.  He has to be taught about the Lord and the things that please the Lord.  I would assume that Paul is directing his comments to children that have proclaimed their faith in Jesus and have a desire to please Him, since that is the motivation that he attaches to the directive.

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

It’s interesting to note that the next directive is to Fathers—not mothers or parents.  As the established authority in the home, the Father is held accountable for the disciplinary structure in the home.  It doesn’t mean that he works independently of the mother; in fact, a wise father work hand-in-hand with his “helpmeet” to ensure the proper environment and in establishing the disciplinary guidelines for the family.  The mother is always the designated authority over the child in the absence of the Father, and the children must understand that she has his full support.  It’s easy for one in authority to abuse that authority—especially in a parent-child relationship.  The father is wise that guides his children with a firm, but loving hand.  He is clear in his expectations and in the consequences for not adhering to those expectations.  Children may not like it, but they understand and appreciate consistent, protective parameters.  Fathers who aren’t consistent in their actions and are unclear in making their expectations understood only provoke anger in their children with their responses.  They will get discouraged because they will never be sure of how to please you.

If we want our children to grow in spiritual maturity and learn to be submissive and obedient to the Lord, we need to ensure that they see fathers and mothers who are submissive and obedient to the Lord.


(to be continued...)

SHARING GOD’S TRUTH THROUGH MUSIC

Continuing our investigation of Colossians...

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Paul now encourages the Colossian believers to have their hearts and minds saturated with the word of Christ, the scriptures.  They were not just to mindlessly memorize it; they were to learn it and apply its truth to how they lived; that is wisdom.  They weren’t to treat what they learned as their private treasure.  They were to share it with one another through teaching.   They were to use it to gently remind one another of its truths and advise caution and warning when necessary. 

One of the best ways to give these reminders is through spiritual songs.  When the truth of scripture is put to music, it’s more easily remembered and brought to mind when we need comfort or are faced with times of testing or temptation.  That is one reason I love our music director (Clay Hecocks) so much; he uses a lot of music that is basically scripture set to music.  This kind of music is an expression of gratitude and joy resulting from the ministry of the Holy Spirit to our hearts.  It accomplishes two things at one time--we praise the Lord and guard our hearts through the same process.

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Paul is basically saying that any action we take and any word we say should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus—in recognition that we have declared Jesus Lord in our lives and that everything we do and say either honors or dishonors Him.  A heart of love, devotion and gratitude is the only acceptable response for the sacrifice He made for us and the blessings He has given us. 

Even as I write these words, I am convicted.  Our lives should reflect that we understand that the Lord is always present with us in the person of the Holy Spirit.  This truth is one that we change us radically if we fully embraced it. On my good days, I converse readily with Him about how I am choosing to invest my time throughout the day.  On my bad days, I recognize (often in retrospect) that I chose not to maintain that ongoing conversation with Him throughout the day.  Sometimes I even find myself rationalizing poor choices to Him as I make them.  That is one of the main reasons I look so forward to His coming.  I will finally be freed from the sin nature and will be able to follow the dictates of a pure heart that is totally submitted to His will without temptation to do otherwise.

We should also be ever mindful of the fact that everything that is provided for us through the Son is according to the will of the Father and through the empowerment of the Spirit.  This amazing truth should be cause for great thanksgiving on our part.  Again, I think this verse is acknowledging the Trinity.  God is a reference to the Holy Spirit, since scripture is clear that “God is a spirit.”  (John 4:24)  The wording “and” the Father gives provides further distinction.

(to be continued...)

THINKING ABOUT THE ECONOMY

I was listening to Chuck Missler last night and he used an analogy that I thought was worth sharing.  Most of us don't really have a clue regarding the state of our economy and the national debt.  This information revealed a very sobering picture.

1 million seconds = 12 days
1 billion seconds = 32 years
1 trillion seconds = 32,000 years

Just thought this information was worth sharing. 

Makes this promise speak more loudly to my heart...Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

ACTING WITH THE LOVE OF GOD GIVES THE PEACE OF GOD

A signature of the Apostle Paul’s writings is that he includes a blessing for the grace and peace of God.  The Greek for the word grace declares it to be a divine influence on the heart that is reflected in one’s life.  The grace of God always influences His children to act in the love of God toward others.  Acting in the love of God toward others is a reflection of our acceptance of His Lordship and positions us to experience His peace.   He emphasizes this truth in the following verses from his letter to the Colossians.

Colossians 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

I couldn’t help but think of my ongoing study in 1Corinthians with this verse.  In chapters 12-14 Paul is teaching on the giftings of the Spirit, their purpose and proper use.  The believers were eager to possess these miraculous abilities, but Paul very emphatically establishes that unconditional love for the brethren is the possession we should most desire.  As with spiritual gifts of the Spirit, the character traits discussed in the previous post are important and to be desired; but again Paul emphasizes that unconditional love of the brethren is the most valuable trait of all.  This type of love is what allows one to most effectively utilize his/her gifts and please God in the process and is the heart foundation from which the traits listed above can most easily flow.  This type of love is the uniting factor for these traits in the believer to produce moral excellence as well as the uniting factor in the body of Christ to bring us to maturity and completeness so that we lack nothing.  When we are acting with unconditional love, the church as a whole benefits, because the Spirit has provided for our every need through His working in the life of every individual that makes up the whole.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

The peace of God is a result of our hearts being “at one” with Him again, our fellowship with Him has been restored.  Through that restoration we can now benefit from His provision for us through the Holy Spirit.  With the empowerment of the Holy Spirit we can now control our thoughts and feelings toward one another.  That empowerment will always lead us to thoughts and actions that are in line with God’s thoughts and actions.  Christ is the head of the body (the church), and the body should always act in accordance to the directions from the Head.  When we yield to the working of the Spirit in our lives, we are allowing the peace of God to rule in our hearts.

Isaiah tells us that those who are called by His name have been created for His glory. 

Isaiah 43:7 “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”

Isaiah was speaking to the Israelites, but the truth is just as applicable to the church.  Just as Israel, we are privileged to have been chosen to be identified with His name.  When we fulfill that purpose, we have great cause to give thanks.  Not only does it glorify God, it benefits us individually and as a body.

(to be continued…)

TRAITS THAT SHOULD CHARACTERIZE THE BELIEVER

So often in life we are instructed by the negatives—things that we should not do.  God’s word always includes instruction from a positive perspective that tells us what we should do.  God never asks more from us than He asked from His only son, the Lord Jesus, and proudly promotes Him as the One we should seek to emulate.

Colossians 3:12-13 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Since we have put off the old man and his deeds of the flesh and have put on the new man through faith in Christ, our lives should be characterized by the deeds that are befitting our new position in Christ.  We are to make these deeds a part of our lives in recognition of the truth that we have been chosen by God to as His beloved children to be holy.

• Bowels of mercies – This speaks of showing pity and compassion—not as a show or pretense, but from a heart motivation.

• Kindness – The Greek for this word speaks of usefulness, excellence of character, and gentleness.  In other words, it is acting toward others with a servant spirit to make things better for them.

• Humbleness of mind – The Greek for this word references modesty and humility, which Webster defines as “a sense of one’s own unworthiness through imperfection and sinfulness.”  You can’t be a true servant of God without being humble.

• Meekness – The Greek defines this as gentleness, meekness, and humility, which seems to overlap the previous two character traits.  Webster gives a better understanding:  “Mild of temper; not easily provoked or irritated; patient under injuries; not vain, or haughty, or resentful; forbearing; submissive.”  I’ve often heard this trait described as strength under control.

• Longsuffering – This is another word for patience or a “long-enduring temper.”  Again, this seems to overlap the previous trait.

• Forbearing one another – The Greek for this is to the point—“put up with, endure.”  I think the thing to remember is that because we are all unique individuals; and just as we are to be “forbearing” with others, there are probably times that others need to be “forbearing” with us as well.

• Forgiving one another – Last, but certainly not least, Paul tells us that we should be forgiving of one another.  This statement isn’t qualified with an “if.”  Christ has set the example for us, and we are to forgive unconditionally just as He forgave us unconditionally—all we had to do was ask (sincerely with repentance).  Our forgiveness wasn’t limited based on the kind or quantity of our sin; it was free and unconditional in spite of our sin.  David Guzik makes a good point: 

“If an offending party is unrepentant, it does no good for the offended one to hold on to their hurt and bitterness. Even if true forgiveness and reconciliation cannot be made because there is no recognition of wrong, the offended party still can and must give it to the Lord God and make the promise of forgiveness unto God. We can do this after the pattern of Jesus in Luke 23:34, ’Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’  If we do this, it will be evident by a lack of bitterness and resentment towards the offending party, and a willingness to restore the relationship at the slightest evidence of repentance.”

(to be continued…)