In Paul's letter to the Ephesians and Colossians brethren, he gave some guidelines on how to build good relationships. In addition to learning how to build personal relationships with God, emphasis Was placed on the relationship within the family. The Holy Spirit of God knows too well how important it is to have strong relationships within the family. Strong families make up strong church and in turn build strong societies.
TEXT: COLOSSIANS 3:18-25
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
Building good relationships is the foundation on which every other human interaction rests upon. It keeps people together (understanding), happy and content. We cannot build or maintain healthy relationships if we do not first have a healthy relationship with our CreatOr. A healthy relationship with God is not necessarily a flawless life but a life that constantly seek God's face through his words and a renewed mind. We have the duty to know whathe requires of us and meditate on it in order to build ourselves and grow in him. Growing in him will in turn help us maintain healthy relationships with those around us, let's grow so we can help others to grow.
EPHESIANS 5:22-23
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.
This text focuses on the role of the wife as regards building relationships within the family. Wives are instructed to be submissive in everything to their husbands just as the church is to Christ. Also, to respect and honor him.
First, we will all agree that as members of the body of Christ, we willingly accepted to follow the leadership of Christ Jesus through baptism and the confession of our sins in the presence of witnesses. It was a voluntary decision we yielded to in love. Therefore, a wife's submission is the loving willingness to honor her husband and follow his leadership.
Secondly, she has been instructed to submit to her husband in everything. This does not mean following her husband to sin nor be restricted in thoughts, actions or be threaded upon. Instead she should be able to share her thoughts and actions with her husband in every aspect of life
It is interesting to understand that the man and the woman are equal by redemption (Galatians 3:28). Submission helps to create a structure in the home just as it has in' the church and it’s an appeal for wives to obey the authority ordained by God. It pleases the Lord when wives lovingly and willingly submit to their husbands as they do to the lord. Therefore, a wife should not become excessively willing to please her husband or become stubbornly insubordinate to him. Ultimately, they should not define their roles using the standard of man but that of God.
EPHESIANS 5: 25-32
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
A very interesting way to build good and healthy relationships is to look at the relationship between Christ and the church in the light of the role of the husband (who has been assigned to be the head to the woman). Husbands are told to love their wives as Christ loves the church and gave himself up for her, to love their wives as their own bodies, not to be harsh With them and to dwell with them in understanding.
First, the leadership of the husband is in love and that of service to the Wife. A love that is willing to do anything, meaning giving up oneself for the otherA personal and sacrificial act. Secondly, to love their wives as their own bodies, by nurturing and caring for it just as Christ nurtures the church with his words. So a husband's leadership should be that of care and nurture of his wife. A leadership that builds, cares, encourages and protects.
Thirdly, he should not be harsh with her. His leadership should not be that of violence, negativity, oppression or slavery. Instead it should be thatof understanding, support and growth.
It is not possible for a husband to perform the redemptive work Christ did for the church. The analogy only helps us understand that husbands must lead their homes in love. Therefore, no human standards (cultural or traditional) should interfere with godly leadership of the home. The leadership of love brings peace to the family and makes submission easier for the wife. We can therefore conclude that husbands are the ultimate home makers.
