10/5

Ephesians 5:21-22,25

²¹Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. ²²Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.

²⁵Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her...

The wisdom of how to get along with one another is found in Paul's advice in this letter. He first tells us all we should have an attitude of submission to one another. In the military usage of this word, it meant to operate in the position you were placed under your commander. In the common usage it meant to give in to another's demands. How many arguments have broken out and turned into horrible divisions because we are too proud to submit? Ask yourself if the issue at hand is worth what may result from refusal to submit. If not, just humbly submit in love and respect. It takes a strong spiritual person to do this.

Then Paul applies it to the woman's role in the home. Men have a need to be respected and honored. This submission in the home meets one of man's basic needs. Where a wife is always putting down her husband or ignoring his requests, you will find a home in painful turmoil.

The man's role is to love his wife "just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her." That is the more demanding role. If he does that, the woman will not have a problem submitting any more than we should gladly submit to Christ because of His love for us. The husband will be meeting her most basic need, to be cherished and cared for out of love. That love is expressed in the husband giving up himself for his wife. Where the husband does not express love toward his wife, you will find a home in painful turmoil.

When you put these two ingredients together, love and submission, you will find a household that is at peace and full of joy. This is the basis for most marital counseling.

Consider: What can you do to fit into your God ordained role? The only way to help your spouse fit in his or her role is by living out your role more perfectly.