Practicing Bible Principles in the Home - TRUE LOVE AND SUBJECTION

 Paul leads into his detailed counsel first to wives, then to husbands and children, by making this appeal to all:  "Be in subjection to one another in fear of Christ." (Ephesians 5:21) In counseling husbands and wives this is Paul's  initial theme. By her precipate action the first woman, Even , showed a lack of subjection, not only to God, but this was entirely out of order. He was showing a lack of subjection to God.  Thus, the matter of subjection got twisted and perverted as soon as sin/ involved the human family.

Proper subjection is a manifestation of true love.  When, as a true Christian, you took the step of dedicatiuon,  it was an evidence of your love for Jehovah, and of your complete and willing subjection to him, to do his will.  In the Christian congregation, there should also be the spirit of mutual consideration  and subection "to one another in fear of Christ." In this, the elders should give the lead, not "lording it over those who are in God's inheritance, but becoming examples to the flock."  The same spirit should be shown in the home.  This is well illustrated in the human body, where all the members have to be 'harmoniously joined together and made to cooperate'to get things done.   Why, even the head, at the top, cannot say to the feet:  "I have no need of you." - 1 PETER 5:3; EPHESIANS 4:16; 1 CORINTHIANS 12:21.

Where this fine attitude of cooperation is shown, there are few marital and famil problems that cannot be solved, quickly and easily.  In other words, the absence of  this attitude  is often the root cause of the problem. Even when only one mate is a dedicated Christian displaying this proper attitude, it can go a long way toward preventing problems from getting  to the poin to friction and dissension. Paul made the entreaty to "walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, with complete lowliness of mind and mildness, with long-suffering, putting up with one another in love." - EPHESIANS 4:1, 2. 

He expressed this even more forcefully to the Philippians, saying: "Make muy joy full in that you are of the same mind and have the same love, . ..doing nothing out of contentiousness or out egotism, but with lowliness of mind considering that the others are superior to you, keeping an eye, not in personal interest upon just your own matters, but also in personal interest upon those o fhte others."  (Philippians 2:2-4)  Are you such a lowly-minded person, or are you self-centered  and egolistical, insisting that you are always right in your opinion of things and of people?  As a husband or an  elder, does your wife oro do others in the congregation observe that you are humble-minded?  Is is apparent to all that you view others as superior to you yourself?  Doubtless they are in certain qualities and abilities. You might  provide all the furnishing of for the home, but could you arrange them in as inviting and restful a way as does your wife?  Are not even your little ones more uninhibited and spontaneous in expressing joy and affection?

Next time: Practicing Bible Principles in the Home - TRUE LOVE AND SUBJECTION- Conclusion

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