DISCUSSION:
There’s more to being a Christian than talking
about Jesus or rejoicing in being “saved.” Too often we emphasize our personal,
“vertical” relationship with Jesus without thinking how that should affect our
“horizontal” relationships with others, where life can be very complicated.
Ephesians has some close to-home application here, teaching that the reason for
submitting to one another is “out of reverence for Christ.”
Explaining Jesus’ command that we “love
one another,” some have stated that “Where love reigns, there is mutual
servitude,” adding that this applies even to kings and rulers. They must serve
their people, as must leaders in the church, elders, deacons, preachers. So
must husbands and wives.
Applying Jesus’ example to the marriage
relationship, Paul mentions the “profound mystery” of Christ and his church.
Jesus is the head of the church, and yet he sacrificed himself for it. He’s the
model of service and submission for both the husband and the wife. It’s a love
relationship of serving and sacrificing for one another.
Loving and submitting means
subordinating our “rights” and emphasizing how we can serve and build up one
another. Our commitment to Christ leads to acts of surrendering self and
submitting “out of reverence for Christ.” Doing so will attract new believers.
Have you tried it?