God-Honoring Relationships

9/10/2019

Moving right along in our group study, ladies! The points in this reading can easily be brushed aside as old or skimmed over without taking them to heart. As always, this weeks reading and reflection continued to shape me.

Paul continues his writing in the book of Ephesians reminding us that "true spirituality always reveals itself in the rough and tumble of everyday life" (Ephesians, John MacArthur. p 69). In other words, our actions matter. God's two basic commands to us are to love God and love others.

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” -Matthew 22:36-39

Remember that in the beginning of his letter to the church of Ephesus, Paul reminds the people how deeply loved and cherished they are as God's chosen sons and daughters. Our calling to love God and others is simply a response to the great love He has given us first. Do you know God's deep love for you? If so, we can trust the words of scripture as our guide.

In our text from Ephesians 5:22- 6:9 and again in Colossians 3:18-4:1, Paul teaches that God requires every believer to be submissive in the ways He has ordained and how we can honor God in our relationships.

"There are no classifications of Christians. Every believer in Jesus Christ has exactly the same salvation, the same standing before God, the same divine nature and resources, and then same divine promises and inheritance (Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11; James 1:1-9). But in matters of role and function, God has made distinctions (p 74).

Take some time for some honest reflection on the questions below. If you'd like to share your thoughts with us, please comment below.

(5.) What do you think it means to submit?
(9.) How can authority be a wise and good thing? How can authority be harmful when abused?
(10.) Given what you've studied about God's intention for husbands, wives, children, and parents, what encourages you? What convicts you?

2 Comments

Heather

9/17/2019 08:57:44 am

5.) Submitting means putting others first - being humble. Not seeing myself as better or more important than anyone else. Trusting God enough that when He says I should let my husband lead I should let him lead because God knows what works the best. I should make choices to honor my Master above all.

9.) Authority keeps me humble--the world does not revolve around me. It can be harmful if the one in authority has the wrong motives.

10.) I need to close my mouth and give G the chance to lead more, even if it's not what I would do. Honestly, when I've done that, things usually turn out better than they would have if I had had my way. I need to trust more that if I give him the chance, G will care for me as his own body (Ephesians 5:28-30)

Erica

9/23/2019 04:44:21 pm

So I am running a week behind in study, but at this point I am pretty good with that. This section was a little tough for me personally as I started to dig in. "Submission" is not something I am really very comfortable with.

5. After some reflection I think to submit is to take your hands off the wheel, to trust God enough that he will steer the wheel in the right direction. To submit is to stop being so arrogant that I have all the answers, that I can see into the future and make the correct turns all alone. I also feel that to submit is not being something less, to have less worth or purpose because you can have faith and trust to submit to God.

9.Authority is wise and good when it gives others a clear direction and clear expectations. With this others can lower the amount of stress and anxiety. This could allow for greater joy, more freedom and creativity. Authority can be harmful when it is used for the good/glory of the one in authority. This will make others feel oppressed and not free to express themselves. To submit to someone who sees authority this way can be harmful.

10. Viewing submission with the lens of Gods intention changes my viewpoint of the passage and makes me feel encouraged that stepping back and allowing someone else be in control will be freeing, and allow for a stronger relationship.

Thoughts & Encouragement