The only way life could get better is if my wife made me a sandwich whenever I asked

Wives submit to your husbands. This phrase can tick people off. Why should I have to submit? Why is this in the Bible? Why would God be against women? Why does man have this much authority over women? The questions over this simple verse can go on and on. Let me try to shed some light on this subject.

This is from Colossians 3:18 but I will go over 19 too, “Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord…Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”

This is what the Message translation says in verse 18-19, “Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master. Husbands, go all out in love for your wives, Don’t take advantage of them.”

It’s easy to look at scripture and manipulate scripture to say what you want it too. This is what Norman Geisler said in the Bible Knowledge Commentary about this scripture:

            “Wives are to submit to their husbands as their heads. This command was not limited to Paul’s day, as is obvious from two reasons he gave elsewhere: (1) the order of Creation (man was created first, then woman; 1 Tim. 2:13); (2) the order  within the Godhead (Christ submits to the Father; 1 Cor. 11:3). Submission or subordination does not mean inferiority; it simply means that the husband, not the wife, is head of the home. If he may be thought of as the “president,” she is           the “vice-president.”^[1] Of course there are moral limits to this submission; it is only as is fitting in the Lord. Just as obedience to government is commanded (Rom.13:1; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13) but only insofar as government takes its place under God (Ex. 1; Dan. 3; 6), even so a wife’s submission to her husband is only “in the Lord.” That is, she is not obligated to follow her husband’s leadership if it conflicts with specific scriptural commands.^[2]

It has to follow scriptural commands. This doesn’t mean if I want a sandwich, Hailee better make it for me without any grief. I think the verse 19 is just as important, Geisler said:

            “Husbands are responsible to love their wives (as Christ loved the church; Eph. 5:28–29). So they are to exercise loving leadership, not dictatorial dominion. Perhaps husbands need this reminder to be tender and loving as much or more than wives need the reminder not to usurp authority over their husbands. Assuming absolute authority will only embitter one’s wife, not endear her. The words be harsh translate pikrainesthe, which is more literally, “make bitter.” (A     different word is used in Col. 3:21; see comments there.) Wives, like tender and sensitive flowers (cf. 1 Peter 3:7), may wilt under authoritarian dominance but blossom with tender loving care. So in a maturing marriage the husband exercises compassionate care and his wife responds in willing submission to this loving leadership.^[3]

I love the phrase happy wife, happy life. If we aren’t trying to make our spouses happy, how do we expect to be happy? Marriage is about sacrifice, looking for each other’s best interest instead of our own. Yes, husbands are called to lead, but lead like Christ leads the church. Having the greatest love and ability to sacrifice himself for the Church. We are supposed to do that for our spouse.

Everyday I grow more in love with my wife. She has been really amazing to me through the years and even more over the past couple of weeks. I really don’t know where I would be without her.

If we claim to be Christian, our life is supposed to be honoring God. This needs to happen in marriage too. What are you doing to honor God in your marriage? What are you doing to show love for your spouse?

Have a great day.

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^[1] Norman L. Geisler, “Colossians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 683.

^[2] Norman L. Geisler, “Colossians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 683.

^[3] Norman L. Geisler, “Colossians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 683.

Where do women belong?

If you said in the kitchen and were not joking, shame on you.

Women and the role in Christianity and other religions can be a huge issue.

There is a show that is called All-American Muslim showing the relationship between women and being Muslim in America.

It’s really a different and unique thing to see.

From the little I have seen in with the show and with the role of women, it’s a completely different then the limited conversations I have had with Muslims.

I have heard that women are very much respected in Islam, in my very limited experience and knowledge, I don’t see it.

I had a female Muslim friend in college and we talked about the differences in religion.

We had plenty of great conversations about faith.

We once talked about how in the Qur’an it is ok to have up to four wives.

I asked her what she thought about her possible husband having more than her as a wife, she told me she would be disappointed she would not be the only women to please her husband but she would submit and follow his lead.

I said, “I don’t think that is the main issue. You are worried about having up to four mother in-laws.”

She had a pretty good laugh on that.

While the majority of Islam is very peaceful, this was written in the Qur’an in a section titled “The Women” Surah 4:34…

“Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means.  Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband’s) absence what Allah would have them guard.  As to those women on whose part you fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, do not seek against them means (of annoyance): for Allah is Most High, Great (above, you all).”

I dreally don’t see peace when the way you handle a women in society if she does something wrong is to beat them.

There is no peace in that.

I know a person that was a domestic violence counselor and dealt with this issue.

Muslim women could get beat and if they went to the police in this matter it was going against their faith, they could be shunned from their family forever or face possible death threats.

I have heard the issue; the Bible is the same way against women.

People will throw out, a women is supposed to submit to the husband and I have heard in other words do whatever the man wants.

If a man ever said this to me, I would have major issues against them because they are going against what God intended for in the Bible.

I once worked with a guy that fully believed this he once told me this…

“Joel, if I want to go out golfing and it was to a place that was $40 for a cart and 18 or a much better place that was $78, I would go to the place that was $78 because I make the money in the household so I have the right to do whatever I want with it.”

Needless to say I lost a lot of respect for that person.

If you have come across Christians like this, I am sorry.

Christianity is showing love and respect to both genders.

We see this in John 20:10-18.

In this section of scripture, Jesus was recently not found in the tomb and Mary went to the tomb and saw two angels.

They asked why she was crying and she told them Jesus was taken away.

She didn’t realize that Jesus was right there with them and thought he was a Gardner.

When she realized she was talking to Jesus, she cried out “Rabboni” a.k.a. Teacher, in verse 16.

This is what happened in verses 17-18…

“Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not returned to the Father.  God instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.”

So Mary saw Jesus first, who cares?

This is a huge deal.

This is what The Bible Knowledge Commentary said…

“The fact that He appeared to Mary rather than to Pilate or Caiaphas or to one of His disciples is significant. That a woman would be the first to see Him is an evidence of Jesus’ electing love as well as a mark of the narrative’s historicity. No Jewish author in the ancient world would have invented a story with a woman as the first witness to this most important event.”

Christianity did something know other religion did, give value to a women.

Jesus loves each and every one of us.

Both male and female Jesus loves us.

If you meet Christians that don’t show respect towards women, I would like to apologize for those people.

Jesus loves you and values you much more then you could ever imagine.

Have a great day.