Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21 NIV
In chapter five of Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus, the apostle instructs his reader to follow God’s example as dearly loved children. Paul exhorts the church to do this with the love Christ demonstrated in obedience to God. Giving thanks for all things, Paul encourages the church to carefully consider their behavior, living lives that reflect the wisdom that comes from God and not man.
As adopted children into the kingdom of heaven, Paul reminds his readers of their holiness. That is to say that we are set apart from worldly things. As such we submit to our heavenly Father in all things we do. This submission carries over to worldly authority and into our homes. Paul teaches that all authority comes from God. He writes in Romans 13:1, “Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. WEB”
Love Like Christ
This doctrine leads to an orderly life of self controlled behavior in which we willingly submit to God and Christ who is the head of the church. In addition, we submit to our bosses at work, law enforcement in the streets, judges and officers of the court and so on. We peaceably resist corruption countering evil with the word of God. But, Paul, and even Christ demonstrated submission to God and worldly authorities. They did so even in the face of injustice.
Specifically, with his words from Ephesians 5:21, Paul gives instruction to submit to one another within the Christian household. But what does it mean to submit to one another? The husband is the head of the house as Christ is the head of the church. And so, wives submit to his authority. Wives are the body of the house as the church is the body of Christ. And so, as Paul writes in Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it. WEB”
In Obedience to God
To emulate Christ in submission to one another, we live in obedience to God in all of our associations. At home, it is a man’s responsibility to conform to the word and will of God in his relationships with his wife and other family members. A man, therefore, provides protection, material support, and love to his family. A man in submission to God by the example of Christ is prepared to sacrifice his life for his wife and children.
Likewise, a woman who lives in submission to God understands authority and its usefulness. She, therefore, submits to her husband as the head of the house. As Paul writes in Ephesians 5:24, “But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything. WEB”
In submission to God and the teachings of Christ, married couples do not abuse each other. They respect and love one another. As Paul reemphasizes to the church in Ephesians 5:33, “each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband. WEB”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the clarity and wisdom of your holy word. Thank you for establishing order through your authority. Give me wisdom to live according to your will. Help me to love as you love. In Jesus name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Into the Kingdom
