Devotion:
Read Ephesians 5:21-33.
This is one of those passages of the Bible that has often been misunderstood and misused, especially verses 22-24. Too often, those verses have been used to admonish wives to submit to their husbands, no matter how the husband treats them or behaves toward them. It is another example of not paying attention to the larger passage around one or more verses or to the bigger picture of what Jesus and the Scriptures teach.
First of all, notice that these verses are preceded by this guidance for everyone being addressed: “Submit to one another…” There is a spirit and attitude of submission that should be part of all of our relationships in Christ.
Second, notice how the verses after those describe how a husband is being taught to relate to their wife: with a love that is willing to give up himself for her. The writer uses the example of Jesus giving himself up. And because Jesus was willing to give himself up for me, I am more than willing to submit myself to him.
In the Philippians passage from yesterday, we were reminded of the love that Jesus showed us by submitting himself to the world. In other words, love and submission go together. So verse 21 guides this whole section: “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” It could just as easily read “Love one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Personal Worship Option:
Pray to God for guidance and discernment in knowing how to show love to members of your family by being appropriately submissive.
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