MEN, BE WORTHY OF HER SUBMISSION!

Ephesians 5:23

"For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior."

I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have had a Christian wife tell me how hard it is for her to submit to her husband. It is abundantly clear that there are many men out there who are certainly unworthy of their wives’ submission. I would like to look at what Paul says specifically to men in my next series of posts. But in 5:23 Paul hints at the kind of husbands Christian men should be, “For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.” We should strive to be men who are worthy of our wives’ submission.

“Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.” How did Christ serve as the head of the church? He gave everything to the church to the point of his own death! Every day of his ministry on earth Jesus was serving the church! Every decision he made was for the welfare of the church. He loved the church so much that he only did what was best for her! Jesus laid down his life to be the Savior of the church. Jesus was completely devoted to serving the church.

I am so grateful that my wife is gracious enough to offer her submission to me even though I often fail to be worthy of it. But if we want to be men who are worthy of our wives’ submission then we have to follow the example Jesus set for us. This is extremely difficult because we are fallen and selfish men! But with God’s help we can learn to serve our wives as Christ served the church. What kind of man makes a woman proud to submit herself to him? He looks out for his wife’s welfare. He seeks to do the things that are best for her. He is willing to lay down his own interests for her happiness. He is committed to being a servant-leader. Men, if you want your wife to offer her voluntary submission to you I suggest you be a man worthy of her submission! Be her protection. Be her provision. Treat her as the most important person in your life. Listen to her. Care about her emotional needs. If you will do these things you will make it much easier for her to offer her submission to you and you will help her in her walk with God.