With Mothers' Day just finished and Fathers' Day fast approaching I wanted to consider Ephesians  5 and what it means to us men specifically. Often verse 22 is taken out of context to keep women silent and to make them little better or no better than a slave. The first issue that is overlooked is the command to listen to their own husband. I take this to mean, they were not supposed to be looking to other men for things that they should be looking to their husbands for (there is a lot to unpack in that and I won’t spend time here doing it). The second is the words “as unto the Lord,” to me this makes it clear that if a man is asking something God wouldn't they shouldn't. Just as with the government, you don't do anything God wouldn't be pleased with.

 

The other side of this is Paul's command to the husband. The husband can't demand obedience if he isn't doing his part. Loving her as Christ loves the church. Christ died to save the church. Most men say they would die for their wives so I'll give them this one (barely). Christ gave us the Spirit so that we can be all we were designed to be. Okay, so if your wife has the abilities to be a great CEO, are you as a husband supporting her in this? This is where most men fail or just refuse. They are supportive of the woman as long as they get something they want or they get the glory, but not the other way around. 

Jesus also listens to the church and asks us to bring all of our concerns to him. So are we really listening? Are we doing what is best for them not just what we think is best? Jesus is.

 

I could go on, but I will leave with this.
Pastor Charles