We see that submission is a blessing and a great thing once we have come to understanding and application of submission in our lives, but to some women who dwell with husbands who are lukewarm or even non-believing (if she came to conversion after being married) we have to remind ourselves and such sisters that their reward of submitting to their lukewarm or non-believing husband is not his conversion. His conversion is not the reward for submission. Eternal life is.
Submission is a salvation issue that God has ordained to be the testing of the woman’s flesh. That she crucify every part of herself that seeks control and independence.
Don’t get me wrong, a lukewarm/non-believing man coming to salvation by his wife’s conduct with chaste conversation is a beautiful thing and a great reward to the woman to know that her husband has salvation and to dwell peacefully being equally yoked, but if she submits for years and years and years to no avail of her husband surrendering his will to the Lord. What then is her reward?
Our goal as Christians is to help lead as many people to salvation as possible, and for women, 1 Peter 3:1-2 tells us how, as well as 1 Corinthians 7:14-17. But our husband’s have their own will, everyone has their own will and if they will not come to the Lord and you can die on your bed knowing you stayed in your marriage until the end of your life, submitting yourself fully to your husband aligning with 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 5, Titus 2, Proverbs 31, etc. then enter into eternal life, dear sister. And know that you passed YOUR testing as a woman and know that your reward is eternal. Not just in your earthly marriage that is only for a season until death.
You will be judged according to your deeds. Were you a wife that endured until the end with all submission and honor given to your husband? Or did you cheat in your testing, were you not always submissive, and patient and not praying for God to do a work in your husband? Be honest with yourself as you ask these questions within the corner of your own mind. Examine yourselves this day.
What I notice from a lot of women who are more righteous than their own husbands is that they try to correct and guide their husbands in the ways of righteousness, to end up playing God in their husband’s life. We are not our husband’s headship, God is. 1 Corinthians 11. It is not a woman’s role to lead her husband. It is her job to wait and pray and convict with conduct, not words.
This is a concept that many women of God have yet to grasp. We are to build up our husbands, not nag and tear them down with our words. Proverbs 14:1. Wait on the ways of her husband.
Your husband is your lord, wait for him and serve him as you serve your Heavenly Father. Ephesians 5:22. And wait on your Heavenly Father to work in your husband, if your husband stays in rebellion even though you can say you honestly submitted with all effort and application… Know that your reward for passing your test as a woman of God is eternal, not temporal. Do not see your husband’s conversion as a reward of your submission lest you be discouraged, for eternal life is a reward for your submission as your testing. Do your work and role and may the Lord bless you for such.
Psalm 27:13-14 ~ "13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
Isaiah 40:31 ~ "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
Romans 2:7 ~ "To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:"
Be blessed & stay sanctified,
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