Lower the Red Flag!

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord” Colossians 3:18.

Last week we discussed how this verse raises the red-flag of controversy in the hearts and minds of many women (and men, for that matter!) in today’s culture.

Over the next few weeks, we will look at this verse in light of the distinction of roles in God’s plan for our lives and the family. But first, with the help of authors Nancy Cobb and Connie Grigsby (The Politically INCORRECT Wife), Nancy Leigh DeMoss (Lies Women Believe), and Elyse Fitzpatrick (helper by design-God’s Perfect Plan for Women in Marriage), I would like to ease some fears and point out what this verse is NOT saying. [Please note that I will also be referring to these books throughout the next few entries about this topic].

SUBMISSION DOES NOT MEAN:

1.       …a sign of inferiority or insignificance-Genesis 1:27 teaches that both male and female were created in the image of God~equally. Passages such as Galatians 3:28 and 1 Peter 3:7 teach that God’s grace and salvation is offered to everyone (male and female)~ equally. Even in our recent study on Colossians 3:1-17 we read in verse 10-11 that there is no distinction as to who we are in Christ. The distinction comes in the roles God has designed for our lives, not in significance and importance.

2.       …we must agree with every suggestion made by our husbands. It does not mean that we cannot express our opinions or provide input regarding family decisions. As we shall see in weeks to come, our role as helpmeet encourages that interaction.  Please note, however, that is the husband’s role to make the final decision. Submission involves accepting that decision graciously.

3.       …we must give into every demand of our husband. The husband’s God-given role of authority is not unlimited in nature. Our ultimate authority is God Himself. Just as Peter stated in Acts 5:29, ‘we ought to obey God rather than man’. If a demand or request goes against God’s teaching, we must graciously and respectfully refuse. 

4.        …we should allow our husbands to take the place of Christ as our objects of worship. Submission does not permit our husbands to become an idol in our lives (Exodus 20:3). Our husbands are to lead and guide us as we worship Christ. Ephesians 5:33 states in some translations that the wife should reverence her husband. This is not teaching that we worship our husbands. It is better translated, that the wife should respect her husband. (Bible Knowledge Commentary)

5.       …the husband has a right to be a dictator or harsh with his wife. Although this series is primarily written to women, and we are focusing on Colossians 3:18 at the moment, it is important that we consider the teaching of verse 19 and Ephesians 5:25ff.

      …only wives are commanded to submit. As we shall see in weeks to come, scripture refers to numerous situations and relationships where submission is to take place~including Christ and His relationship to the Father!

So, take a deep breath~submission is not an ugly, terrible word that should create fear and controversy. Instead, it can be seen as “…a gift that we voluntarily give to the man we have vowed to love in obedience to the Savior we love…” (DeMoss’ quote of Susan Hunt, [The True Woman]).

I trust that next week we will begin to consider the roles God has designed for us and our families.

Go ahead and lower that red flag! 

Debbie 

Debbie

The Controversy

Well, ladies~~Here I sit~about to venture into the dangerous, dark waters of dealing with a ‘controversial’ passage.

My first thought, however, is, why do we label portions of scripture as ‘controversial’? Why are there ‘controversial’ passages? Have you ever considered the word controversial anyway? It has nothing to do with fact. There is nothing inherent in the verse that makes it controversial. It is the reader that determines the ‘controversialality’ of a passage~~not the verse!

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines controversial as ‘something that arouses opposing views’. When Paul (under the direction of God and the Holy Spirit) penned the words now known as Colossians 3:18 in his letter to the Colossians believers, he was not attempting to arouse opposing views. He was encouraging a group of young believers as to how God expected their new life in Christ to exhibit goodness, humility, patience, meekness, forgiveness, and love (you know, all those new outfits in our heart’s closet-[see late summer/fall archives]). He wrote these words to admonish a new Christ-like lifestyle in their home as well (Colossians 3:18-20).

His purpose was to teach, admonish, and motivate; not to arouse opposing views. 

So, it is the reader that has taken this verse and set out to arouse opposing views. WHY?

If we, as believers, accept the Bible as God’s Word; His love letters to His most precious creation, His instruction book for a living a Christ-like, joy-filled life…. If we accept the Scriptures to be God-breathed and without error… Why then do we consider this portion to be any different?

I am not setting out to try to diffuse the views of unbelievers. This is for those of us who have chosen, by our belief in Christ, to accept God’s Word as described above. Many who accept the above description of the infallible and inerrant Word of God, draw the line at Colossians 3:18. Why is that?

Many who proclaim that Christ rules their life, or proclaim “I will do whatever You want me to do, Lord” stick their palm in God’s face and say, ‘UNH, UNH God, I’m not doing that!”  Why?

Why is it that we can sing, “I Have to Decided to Follow Jesus”, but when He tells us that as part of agreeing to follow Him, we must follow our husbands~that He gave us~, we refuse and put up a fuss?

If you consider Colossians 3:18 to be a controversial verse-if you feel it arouses an opposing view in your heart, I trust you will think on the above thoughts this week, open your heart, and be willing to dig into this passage to consider what it is really saying.

Maybe it is because we don’t really understand what God was really telling us in this verse. Maybe we have replaced His intent with our own definitions and expectations?

Next week, we will hopefully ease some fears and consider some erroneous thoughts about the word submission and discuss what this verse DOES NOT mean before delving into what it does mean!

It's all or nothing, ladies!

Debbie

Blog Anniversary!

Well, it has been a year since I started writing Light Thoughts- Light Thoughts from the WORD that Lights my Path.  I must say, I am quite proud of myself for sticking with this project throughout 2011. 

If you recall from my first segment, I was concerned about my writing style and the conflicting comments from Journalism and Composition teachers in the past. I have seen my writing sway back and forth from the simple to the descriptive throughout the two main series on which I have centered. Actually, I have noticed when I am getting too simple and when I veer to the fun style. I have enjoyed the fun, frilly moments and miss it when it doesn’t seem to fit with topic.

I really enjoyed the research that went into the Mary/Martha Saga. That one really impacted my philosophy of ministry. It has been such a relief to discover I don’t have to ‘do it like everyone else’ to be effective. I trust discovering the differences in Mary and Martha has encouraged you in your seemingly weak areas as well.

As we moved to Colossians for Christie, it was my goal that this basic study of Colossians 3 would motivate you in your Christian growth. Using the wardrobe theme was fun! 

I trust the continued study of Colossians, as well as future series, will continue to be a blessing, a motivation, and an encouragement in your Christian walk.

I’m looking forward to another year of sharing Light Thoughts with you!

 

MAY YOU HAVE A HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR! 

Debbie

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 FOR UNTO YOU IS BORN THIS DAY IN THE CITY OF DAVID, A SAVIOR WHO IS CHRIST THE LORD.
Luke 2:11

Merry Christmas~Love, Debbie (and Greg)

 

Part Two: Here we Come!

As we move into Part 2 of our “Colossians for Christie” study of Colossians chapter 3, we recall that this section of Colossians provides excellent material and direction for a discipleship study for  new believers.

Discipleship is just that~Biblical guidance for a new believer. It answers the questions posed by my “Christie” and new believers everywhere~~ “-Now what?”

Colossians 3:1-4 (picking up on the theology –theory- of salvation taught throughout chapter 2) reviews just what salvation is all about. Believers have been raised with Christ (It is the power of the resurrection that actually allows for salvation) and have been hidden (positioned) with Christ. Therefore, believers should now set their hearts and minds on the things of Christ. A change has taken place in the believer’s life, now a change must take place in her lifestyle. That is the first concept that the new believer must understand.

So, new believer, now that you have become a new person in Christ, there are things in your life that must become new as well. As a new person, your attitude, outlook, philosophy, and your actions must become new. A new you means…a new you.

The purpose of verses 5-14 is to provide direction as to what these changes entail in order to develop this new you. Paul provides specific guidelines and commands as to what you must now do to bring about these changes.

Verses 15-17 provide the encouragement and motivation that reminds you of the resources you have in Christ so that you CAN make those changes and become the new you.

The lessons of verses 1-17 are not gender/age/status/culture specific (see verse 8) and can be used in discipleship for both male and female.  However, since Paul used the word picture of putting off and putting on, I have written this with a closet/wardrobe/accessory theme. Therefore we can say that Part One of “Colossians for Christie” was written as discipleship teaching for adult women who have recently come to Christ as young (older) adults. It was written to encourage these new believers to clean out their old stale and musty 'closets' and start afresh!

However, Chapter 3 is not finished. Paul has not completed his discipleship training for the new Colossian believers just yet.

Verses 5-17 may have been written to encourage all new believers to make those lifestyle changes that come with one’s new life in Christ. However, Paul becomes more specific as he concludes this discipleship section through Colossians 4:6. He emphasizes that there are also changes to be made within the family and in the workplace.

Thus, ladies, we cannot conclude “Colossians for Christie” without taking some time to consider the teaching of 3:18.

There is a lot of controversy and negative connotation in today’s society when it comes to this verse. However, I think if we take the time to look into what submission REALLY means and determine what it DOESN’T mean, we can allow this section to become part of the ‘new you’ as well.

I have already done a lot of study on this topic, and I am excited to share what I have discovered. Ladies, I guarantee you, although it may seem difficult to grasp, it will be exciting!

Hang on!

Debbie
(Entries from Part One can be seen in the archives section.)

A Final Motivation

In my last entry, we discussed how important thankfulness was as a motivation for wearing our Colossians 3 outfits.

Well, as we come to the end of the first section of "Colossians for Christie" from Colossians chapter 3, I would like to wrap it up with Wiersbe’s concluding paragraph to this chapter in his book, Be Complete. He, too, emphasizes the motivation behind our choices.

                “Since we are united with Christ through the indwelling Holy Spirit, we have all the resources we need for holy living. But we must be spiritually motivated. Because we have experienced the grace of Christ, we want to live for Him. Because we have enjoyed the peace of Christ, we want to obey Him. We have been enriched by the Word of Christ, and ennobled by the name of Christ; therefore, we want to honor and glorify Him.” He then asks, “Can we desire any higher motivation?

Now, please allow me to go back through that quote and add some side notes that will hopefully continue to encourage each of you as to the importance of a clean, fresh ‘closet’! 

FACT: 'Since we are united with Christ through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we have all the resources we need for holy living.'

FAILURE: But we still blow it!

FACE THE FACTS: Again, we have ALL the resources we need for holy living. 'We have been enriched by the Word of God, ennobled (been made noble in God’s sight) by the name of Christ', therefore we have no excuses!

FIELD TRIP: We have experienced the Grace of Christ. Think on that one for a while. I challenge you to think back on your life and consider how has the Grace of Christ has blessed and comforted throughout your life?

“Can we desire any higher motivation?”

Let’s add one more piece of alliteration:

FREE GIFT: If you cannot claim the statements above as a part of your life~this Grace CAN be yours as well, as a free gift from the Creator of the Universe. Scripture teaches in Romans 3:23 that we all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, or standard. Romans 6:23 teaches that the wages, or punishment for our sinful condition is death. BUT, Romans 5:8 teaches that even when we were yet sinners (in our most sinful state), Christ died for us. He took that punishment we all deserved. 

God just asks one thing: That we trust His Word, and call upon the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, for forgiveness and Salvation. 

Romans 10:13 says, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

That grace and those resources that enable believers to live a life of graciousness and peace can be yours as well.

For the rest of us, remember, although some of those new outfits may seem difficult to put on~with the God’s grace, Christ’s peace, the Word’s direction, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance we can wear each of our new outfits gracefully. I encourage you to take a moment and reread Colossians 3:1-17.

Stay tuned for Part Two~if you are brave enough!

Debbie