Titus 2:5 states, "To be self-controlled, chaste, homemakers, good-natured (kindhearted), adapting and subordinating themselves to their husbands, that the word of God may not be exposed to reproach (blasphemed or discredited)." (AMP)
Kindness.
We discussed kindness/gentleness last week when we talked about The Fruit of the Spirit.
Here's a little excerpt from that:
"In 2 Corinthians chapter 6, Paul writes:
"We don’t want people to find anything wrong with our work. So we do nothing that will be a problem to others. But in every way we show that we are servants of God. We never give up, even though we face troubles, difficulties, and problems of every kind. We are beaten and thrown into prison. People get upset at us and fight against us. We work hard, and sometimes we get no sleep or food. We show that we are God’s servants by our pure lives, by our understanding, by our patience, and by our kindness.We show it by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love, by speaking the truth, and by depending on God’s power. This right way of living has prepared us to defend ourselves against every kind of attack."
What are we showing others today?
"You are never too important to be nice to people."
"Be the reason someone smiles today."
"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others... and if you cannot help them, at least don't hurt them."
"When you have a bad day, a really bad day, try and treat the world a little better than it treated you." [Patrick Stump]
"Be kind to unkind people. They need it most."
All of these sum up our calling. Write these on note cards, post them around your house, in your car.. whatever it takes to remind yourself that the world needs less judgment, less self-righteousness... and a lot more kindness, gentleness, and love."
Jesus, help us to have kindness overflowing out of our hearts today.
Obedience.
The Titus 2 woman is not only self-controlled, pure, the creator of a peaceful home for her family, and kind--
She is also obedient to her husband.
Now, I know what our human nature is- when we hear the words 'obedient to your husband,' our skin tends to crawl a little bit. Our self rises up out of us and we start thinking-- 'I'm not called to be obedient to anyone. I'm my own person. No one has control over me...' Our human nature tends to take over in that respect...
But God has called us to a life of obedience.
I'll be honest- submission and obedience doesn't always feel good. It is our human nature to want to oppose it from time to time. We want to be in control-- and obedience doesn't always feel like we are the ones in control.
Thankfully, through obedience-- God is the One in control.
Ephesians 5:22 states, "Wives, place yourselves under your husbands’ authority as you have placed yourselves under the Lord’s authority." (NOG)
and Colossians 3:18 says, "Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master."
Obedience is Vital.
The ending of Titus 2:5 states, "....and to obey their own husbands. In this way, the Word of God is honored."
The Word of God is honored through our obedience--- even when it is tough for us.
1 Samuel 15:22 says, "Samuel said, “Which does the Lord prefer: obedience or offerings and sacrifices? It is better to obey him than to sacrifice the best sheep to him."
The Lord wants our obedience more than He wants our sacrifices.
I love the Message version of 1 Samuel 15:22 because it is written, "Then Samuel said, Do you think all God wants are sacrifices— empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production. Not doing what God tells you is far worse than fooling around in the occult. Getting self-important around God is far worse than making deals with your dead ancestors. Because you said No to God’s command, he says No to your kingship."
God doesn't care about our rituals and religious acts---- unless we are beginning it with OBEDIENCE.
That is the most important thing to Him.
And one way we can show Him obedience is through obedience to our husbands.
Hierarchy
God designed a hierarchy in our families. He desired for Jesus Christ to be the head of the home- that all decisions, that all plans, that our lives- would be prayed over and that God's perfect will would be sought in all areas. Next, is the husband. God designed the husband to be the leader of the home. He wanted the husband to be the spiritual protector... someone that would keep his family's best interest at heart and guide them in the direction of Jesus Christ. That he would seek God's will in every area of the family's life. Next on the hierarchy is the wife. God designed her to be submitted and respectful to her husband. Jesus didn't say for the wives to be doormats... she isn't 'less' than her husband. He designed her to follow his spiritual guidance which is why Ephesians 5:22 says, "submit yourselves unto your husbands as unto the Lord."
Obedience requires trust- and trusting our husbands should be the foundation of our marriage. We trust Him to keep our family aligned with Jesus Christ and His Word. We trust Him to take care of our hearts and our soul. Through trust, we can be obedient to our family.
Candace Cameron Bure said, "I'd rather be viewed as weak to the world because I'm submissive to my husband than be weak in the Lord because I submit to the views of the world." I feel like this should be our motivation every single day.
Jesus, help us to push our human nature aside and submit to Your Word. You have called us to be obedient and submissive to our husbands (as unto You)... and although we might not FEEL like it some days, Father... help us to see the vitality in it! Help us to see and understand WHY You have called us to this life.
Our human nature will tell us to be powerful- to not listen to our husbands- to ignore the command of the Lord because we are in control of our lives, no one else. However, the Lord has asked us to be respectful, committed, and submissive to our husbands.
Elisabeth Elliot wrote, "Choices will continually be necessary and -- let us not forget-- possible. Obedience to God is always possible. It is a deadly error to fall into the notion that when feelings are extremely strong, we can do nothing but act on them." We have a choice every day-- act on our feelings-- or follow the Word of God.
Jesus, help us follow Your Word. Your Word is full of power and life. It is full of scriptures that lead us to a full, happy, joyful life in You. If it is tough-- if it requires work (obedience, sacrifice, faith...) it is WORTH IT.
The Beauty in Submission.
There is beauty in submission.
Submission says:
I trust you.
I trust God.
Submission encourages us to humble ourselves-- and Jesus said 'The meek will inherit the earth.'
There are promises tied to submission.
God is not calling you to the life of being your husband's servant--
He is calling you to a life of being your husband's help mate, your husband's confidant, your husband's caretaker.
We can be all of this through submission.
Jesus Christ was submissive and endured a horrible death on the cross just for you and me. Look at the beauty that flowed from the greatest sacrifice-- the greatest act of submission..
Imagine what beauty can flow through our marriage if we would submit as well.
Through Submission, We Bring Peace.
I know our days can seem overwhelming, but our husband's days are overwhelming as well. A long work day-- a day full of worry about bills-- a day full of the relenting heat-- a day full of being away from his family-- a day full of little appreciation at his job---
when our husband comes home, we can offer him PEACE through a submissive life. We can offer him an immense amount of LOVE through a submissive life. We can offer him JOY through a submissive life.
We can bring peace to our entire house through a submissive life.
Submission is not putting the will of the husband before the will of Christ-- it is praying that God will align the will of husband with the will of Christ.
Jesus, help us to be submissive to Your will today- and through that, help us to be submissive to our husbands (when it all aligns to Your Word.) Help us to see the beauty in submission. You said that submission was better than any sacrifice we can offer. Bring peace to our house through submission. We ask that you bring love, joy, and kindness to our home through submission. We love You, Jesus! Amen.
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