A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (November 5, 2018)
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. (Proverbs 31:10)
I recently had a young man ask me to expound on what I thought about 1 Timothy 2:8-12. These particular scriptures are referring to men and women in the church. These particular issues, plus similar marriage issues, have been debated for centuries and will probably never be completely understood until we get to Heaven. However, I will share with you my personal feelings on this subject based on my study of the Word and fifty-one years of marriage.
In studying the Book of Acts and the Epistles you need to realize that there was a constant battle going on in that time between the “letter of the law” and “grace”. It is still going on today. The Apostles Paul and Peter actually got into a real argument over this matter because Peter was capitulating to some of the Jewish customs and wanted the Gentiles to follow his example. Paul was a strong believer in faith and grace and did not want these same requirements to be forced on the Gentiles. Paul’s argument was that we are saved by faith and not by works, which is very true. We can never be good enough, do enough works, or follow enough rules to qualify for salvation. If that could be true then there was no reason for Jesus to come and sacrifice his life for us. Our salvation was a gift of God that was paid for on the cross.
Now, when it comes to the man and woman issue, there are a lot of conflicting arguments that are on the surface backed by certain scriptures like the letter to Timothy. Some of them I can defend and explain and some I can’t. Some theologians think that the Apostles were addressing issues in particular groups and not referring to overall doctrine. I can’t prove that so therefore I have come to the conclusion that I will stick with what I see Jesus do (for He is my example) and I will also stick with some key foundational scriptures that I think describe the heart of God. The following are some of those key scriptures.
And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. (Genesis 2:18) The Hebrew word for help meet is “ezer” which means to aid, help, surround, and protect. In other words, the woman is very important. She is not just a maid or a baby sitter.
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. (1 Peter 3:7) In other words, God doesn’t like it when you don’t honor His daughters.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord. (Proverbs 18:22) Are you lacking favor? You may want to examine how you are treating your wife.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:8) Marriage is referred to as a one-flesh relationship in the Bible. You may also not know that it was not uncommon in biblical times for women to be shepherds. Rachel was a prime example.
But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but he Lord looketh on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) God always looks at the heart.
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17)
When I look at all these scriptures, I see what God intended woman to be. She is man’s other self. She completes man. She was not meant to be a doormat or stuck back in a corner and told to be quiet. And when I look at how Jesus treated women it paints a picture for me on how men are to treat women. Jesus never looked down on women, or treated them as second-class citizens. In fact, He revealed things to women that He did not reveal to men (Mary Magdalene was a prime example). He may very well reveal to your wife (or a woman in your church) the very answer you have been looking and praying for. Will you be open to that?
Let me ask you this. Does a bunch of rules, regulations, and restrictions (like dress, jewelry, and hair restrictions) promote freedom? No, it is the goodness of God that leads men and women to repentance, not rules and regulations. You cannot make people do right with a list of do’s and don’ts. They have to want to do right and when they fall in love with Jesus they will want to do right.
Did Jesus ever have women go tell the men? Yes He did! Mary Magdalene and the Samaritan woman were prime examples.
One of the most powerful forces on this earth is a husband and wife that are in unity with each other and in unity with God. That does not come by making each other follow a bunch of rules and regulations. It comes by giving each other the liberty to be what God has called them to be and supporting each other. The enemy knows that, and that is the reason he fights marriages so hard.
Now, some people will point to certain scriptures to prove that women should stay in their place and be silent. Those people will never experience the true freedom and power that God has for the ones that will step away from the bondage’s of customs and religion and step into the true freedom of the Holy Spirit. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty!!!
This is my personal opinion and I’m sticking with it!!!
