What Is Required
It is essential to understand the authority of God and how He works in our lives. God has established specific roles of authority for each of us. In 1 Corinthians 11:3, we read:
“But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.”
As children of God, we are called to follow His Word.
Even now, as a wife of forty-two years, my responsibility remains to honor my husband and follow his leadership. In doing so, I am obeying the commandment of God. If my husband were to ask me to do something contrary to God’s Word or something I believe is morally wrong, I could bring that matter before God and trust Him to deal with it. However, if the issue is simply that I do not agree with the way he is handling something, I can even take that to the Lord but I must still submit to him as the head over me. My role is not to fix my husband—it is to trust God to do so. God will correct anything that is wrong.
For example, I am not especially fond of the way my husband manages our finances. He approaches things very differently than I would, and I believe my method might be better. Yet the reality is that our bills are always paid on time, we have savings in the bank, and our needs are abundantly met. Just because I disagree with his approach does not give me the authority to disobey God.
I am reminded of Sarah and her obedience to Abraham. Out of fear, Abraham told Sarah to say she was his sister and not his wife. Sarah obeyed her husband in each instance, and God took care of her (Genesis 12 and Genesis 20). We do not have to fight our own battles—our Creator will care for His own.
In the same way, children are to obey and honor their parents while living under their parents’ roof. It is wonderful for children to have a personal relationship with God, but as long as they live at home, they are to follow their parents’ instructions.
Scripture tells us that Isaac was forty years old and still living in his father’s household when Abraham sent his servant to find him a wife. When Isaac saw Rebekah arriving with the servant, he did not refuse her. Instead, he honored and accepted what his father had arranged, and Rebekah became his wife. The Bible shows that life went well for Isaac because he obeyed his father’s instruction.
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.’” (Ephesians 6:1–3)
Even now, as a wife and mother, I continue to honor my parents. They no longer have authority over my household, but I still respect them. In our own home, my husband and I are responsible before the Lord to raise our children according to His ways.
God requires obedience in every area of life. When we live by His commands, His blessings follow:
“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 28:1–2, ESV)
Key Takeaways
Submitting to God’s authority is required.
Submitting to God’s commandments is required.
Submitting to God’s control is required.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19; Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCC Ministries TV: YouTube Channel
My published books are now available at: Amazon - Life’s Journey Volume 2 by Jacqueline Crooks