Pastor's Connect Blog
Connect Blog
Ephesians 5:21-6:9
February 11, 2018
Everything spoken of in this passage and what follows is predicated upon a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a Spirit-filled life.
What follows is a Divine plan for human relationships…
General Relationships
“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
Out of respect, and in consideration of your relationship with God, submit yourself to one another.
Taking a backseat to others, or going second in line. It is the willingness to place the needs of others above you own.
There is an element of faith in this attitude and activity … If you are sacrificing self to serve others then you are trusting God to meet whatever needs you set aside.
IN the church … this is a mutual ministry “to one another”
“Me” is replaced by “you”
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.”
Romans 12:10
“Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.”
1 Corinthians 10:24
We are not to be haughty and arrogant. We are not to place our desires above those of others. We are not to be selfish, but selfless.
Model … For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
Specific Relationships:
Marriage Relationship …
Wife to husband
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.”
First … this is not a mandate to all women, but to wives in relationship to their own husbands … not women, in general, toward men, in general
Secondly, while this is toward woman in a marital relationship, it is however, a great word of encouragement toward those who are a marriage partner … enter the relationship with both eyes open asking the question, Is this a man of God whom I can be fully devoted?
And, just as matter of reference … the Bible is not silent on the subject of the Divine appointment of marriage and frowns on physical, sexual relationships outside of marriage … The Bible only recognizes a marriage relationship as existing between a man and a woman.
NOW BACK TO THE PASSAGE … Wives, as a matter of Divine appointment, practice the role of voluntary service in your marriage relationship determined to serve the Lord through your submission to your husband.
This is not slavery, as defined by the women’s movement, but a divinely appointed role or responsibility within the marriage commitment/covenant.
It is a submissive attitude matched by actions which encourage and enhance the husband to be all God intends… maximum manhood
In the same way the church, the bride of Christ, serves the Lord, wives are to serve their husbands; just as the church seeks the glory of the Savior so should wives seek to assist their husbands to become all they should be in the Lord.
In other words, treat your ministry to your husband as your ministry to the Lord.
Once again the submissive life is built on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ … using the model of the Lord’s personal ministry and by the power of God the Holy Spirit
Husband to the Wife
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.”
Note the subtle switch … The wives were to be submissive toward their husbands, the husbands are to be loving toward their wives …
“love” a relationship based on the husband’s unconditionally sacrificing self for his wife; giving oneself for the sake of another, and in this case the wife.
And here we are given the purpose … Jesus demonstrated love for the church through his purpose for the church … He would give himself in order to make her the best she could be … and by the way, that’s what the Lord is doing right now in you and for you…. He is actively involved in your life removing the impurities of life while crafting holiness …
“For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”
Think about it: the only time we seek to bring harm to our own bodies is when there is mental disease, emotional distress or physical sickness, otherwise, we cherish our bodies and seek to prosper them.
Their lives are to be intertwined together to the extent when one hurts the others hurts, when one is successful he other finds success in their success.
“Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”
Family Relationships
The Children toward the Parents ….
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.”
Let your lives be characterized by obedience … in the same way you would obey the Lord.
BTW … this doesn’t mean you should do that which stands in opposition of God.
Show respect by the life you live (God honors such with blessing)
The Parents to the Children …
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
Don’t use fear to accomplish your will; don’t terrify your kids.
Follow the model of the Heavenly Father … discipline with love.
Raise your children by teaching them Divine principles
Social Relationships
“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. 9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.”
Work hard … avoid doing your job in an effort to inflate your value … just work hard and you will be recognized for the job you do … develop a work ethic pleasing to the Lord
Be fair … not tyrannical, give those who work for you the opportunity to serve out of respect, not fear …
Treat people in the same way you want to be treated and avoid showing favoritism