I know that culture has convinced some of us to conform God’s word to what it says instead of the other way around, but realize that is not how it is supposed to be. Culture is supposed to be informed by God’s word. Culture is determined by the predominate cult. Since secular relative moralists have deemed feminism a good thing, many have reinterpreted the Bible to do away with the plain meaning of the following verses. I would exhort you to conform your thinking, and behavior to the word of God instead. If submission to God is not good, why did Christ model it for us? Why are we told to submit and be Christ like in sanctification? Women should not be against submitting to their husbands, and husbands should not be against submitting to Christ. It is not the modern model of mutual submission to each other. That denies the authority of God over man, and is a perversion of His word. In submission to Christ we humbly serve our wives in many ways. There is nothing shameful in this. Submission to our wives is not Biblical in the mutual submission model. It requires equal authority of husband and wife over each other.
This is not how God has explained it in His word. Marriage is a demonstration of the gospel. It is a picture of the Bridegroom Jesus, and His bride the Church. The reunification of sinner to God. It is a covenant between the Husband, Wife, and God. It is for the life of those in the covenant, and we are only released from it upon death. The covenant of marriage has become defiled in modern culture as well. To be salt and light means to stand up and proclaim what God has judged good and evil in His sight, through His word. There is a shame that is good for man to experience. Many Christian brothers and sisters have been sinned against by an ungodly spouse who may or may not be false converts. The truth may not be in them. When your spouse is adulterous, and ultimately leaves you, they have injured you to be sure, but do not be bitter. They have sinned against God, and if they are not found crucified with Christ, then they will have their deeds judged by a just and holy God. Pray for them if you can. If you can’t, pray for yourself, that God may soften your heart and grant you the ability. For those of you who are married still, but are going through difficulties, ask for prayer from your brothers, and elders. Seek help from God’s word, and get wise counsel. Appreciate that you are with the person God has given you for your own growth and sanctification. It is for your good and theirs. The things that they do that make you crazy are for your growth and maturing. Don’t let resentment grow. I pray that God be glorified in our marriages and that we are sanctified through them in accord with His will, amen.
1 Timothy 2:9-15
9Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, 10but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. 11A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. 14And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.
Ephesians 5:1-2, 22-24
1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
22Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. (Men are to submit to Christ, as Christ submitted to the Father and death on the cross. If we are to be Christ like, then sanctification includes submission according to the structure of authority God has ordained.)
Colossians 3:1-4, 18-21
1Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory
18Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. 20Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. 21Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart. (notice the man is not told to submit to his wife.)
1 Peter 3:1-7
1In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. 3Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 5For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; 6just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.
7You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
Titus 2
1But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.
3Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.
6Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; 7in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
9Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.
11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
15These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Snyder's Soapbox 